Walter H. Rabe of Denton, Texas, died Monday, September 12, 2005, at age 81 of heart disease. Walt was born to German immigrants, Fred Rabe and Lottie Grotemeyer and lived most of his life in the Elgin, Illinois area. He was born on June 18,1924, in Elgin and lived on a dairy farm. He graduated from Plato Township Community High School where he excelled in basketball and baseball. A World War II veteran who served in the Panama Canal Zone as a Staff Sergeant, Walt will be buried at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery. Walt married Berniece Bagby of Poplar Bluff, Missouri on July 30, 1946, and settled in Elgin where they raised their four children. He supported the Boy Scouts, including service as Scoutmaster, and his three sons all achieved the Eagle rank. Walt and Berniece were the first converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Elgin area and Walt served long as the leader of the local congregation and in many other areas of church service for his entire life. Walt worked for nearly 50 years at Precision Diamond Tool Company in Elgin where he started as a lathe operator and eventually served as Production Superintendent, Vice President of Production, Vice President of Research, and as a member of the Board of Directors. He retired at 70 and moved to Denton Texas where he has served actively in his Church and community for the past 11 years. He served in the LDS Dallas Temple. He took a genuine interest in everyone he met and would not let anyone's need go unattended if he had any way in which he could help. Countless lives have been blessed by his love and Christ-like service, which is the essence of Walt that will continue to live in the lives of his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Berniece Rabe, his children, Alan Rabe of Mentor, Ohio, Brian Rabe of Houston, Texas, Clay Rabe of Denver, Colorado and Dara Sandland of Plano, Texas, as well as 10 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Walter was the youngest of 7 children and is the last surviving of his siblings, but is lovingly remembered by dozens of nieces, nephews, great-nieces & nephews, and other family members who he cherished. A memorial service will be held at 10 am on Saturday, September 17 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on 3000 Old North Road in Denton, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations to Walter's favorite charity, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America ( www.alzfdn.org ) would be appreciated. Mulkey-Mason, Jack Schmitz and Son Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.