John Rahe
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John James Rahe passed away at his home in Dallas, Texas on October 1, 2021 at the age of 80.
Born on November 3, 1940 in Julesburg, Colorado, John was the son of John William Henry and Hilda F. Rahe. John was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Chappell, Nebraska.
John grew up on his family farm north of Chappell, NE. He attended a one room country school through the eighth grade and later attended Duell County High School - graduating in 1958.
In 1961, John enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as a technician on the Atlas F ICBM and the fire control system for the B-52. He was honorably discharged in 1965. On January 21, 1964 John married Betty George. To this union a daughter, Anja Carole Rahe, was born in 1970.
John attended Texas Tech University and graduated with a BS in Electrical Engineering in 1969.
In 1970 he completed his Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering. Although never exposed to Algebra or Calculus in high school, John's prodigious skills earned him membership into the electrical engineering honor society Eta Kappa Nu and the all engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi.
Following his graduation from Texas Tech he was employed by Dallas-based Texas Instruments from 1970 to 1989 in a variety of highly classified technology programs for the Department of Defense. During the last six years of his tenure at Texas Instruments, John was extensively involved in the sale of equipment internationally.
From 1989 through 1994 John worked for BEI Defense System Company as their International Sales Director. BEI Manufactured 2.75 inch rockets, warheads, and armament management systems. In 1994, John joined L3 WESCAM, long range optical surveillance equipment, as Sales Director, Latin America. He worked for WESCAM until his retirement this past spring.
On October 20, 1986, John married Barbara Jean Lake. John and Barbara enjoyed 35 years of marriage enjoying traveling and activities with family and friends. The waters of the Caribbean were the spot of many snorkel adventures and much needed relaxation. John and Barbara recently purchased land in Colorado - another treasured destination. Simple things such as dinners at his daughter's home and golf with his son-in-law were a staple.
John found his match at the birth of his only grandchild, Triton. Spending weekends at the Home Depot Kid's Workshops and orchestrating prize-winning science projects - the two engineers were two peas in a pod and spoke a language far advanced from everyone else.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Hilda, his brothers, Donald, Larry and Rodney, his sister, Dorothy Steele, and a brother-in-law, Doug Hahn. He is survived by his wife, Barbara of Dallas, daughter, Anja Carole Shoup and husband George of Dallas, his only grandson, Triton Shoup of Dallas, sisters Debra Bayne and husband Ron of Chappell, Nebraska and Lana Hahn of Sterling, Colorado, brother, Gary and wife Diane of Holyoke, Colorado, sister-in-law, Patricia Rahe of Haxtun, Colorado, and brother-in-law, Jim Steele of Nixon, Texas and several aunts, nieces, and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund for John Rahe has been established for the Salvation Army.
A ceremony will be held in Chappell, NE October 23rd:
Zion Lutheran Church
650 5th St
Chappell NE, 69129
A Toast to John James Rahe "JR" will be held in Dallas, TX November 7th:
Glen Eagles Country Club
5401 W Park Blvd
Plano, TX 75093
Open House 3:00 - 6:00