It is with great sorrow that we acknowledge the passing of Michael R. Rabe. Michael R. Rabe was killed in a collision with a car while riding his bike on Saturday night, May 2. Michael R. Rabe was a USA Cycling Coach, Official, Member of the Walden Velodrome Board, Vice President of Racing for the Wolverine Sports Club, Instructor at the Walden School of Cycling, Wolverine Ride Leader, Outstanding UNISYS Employee and Computer Expert, Former U.S. Navy Submariner. Michael R. Rabe’s contributions to the sport of cycling, and to his many friends, cannot be overstated. He was a selfless individual with the highest degree of integrity. Michael R. Rabe always put other people’s interests in cycling before his own. He was a devoted friend when there were no others, no matter the situation or time of day, and a trusted advisor. He was my best friend for 18 years, and , the best friend a person could have. Michael R. Rabe was single but leaves behind two brothers and a sister and hundreds of friends.
Words don’t ever suffice. My family’s thoughts are with you and the Rabe family and friends, Tom. We are truly, as ever, sorry to hear something like this.
Wow, I really can’t say how sorry I am to hear this news. I didn’t know Michael, but I’m sure he will be deeply missed.
He, and you, will be in my prayers.
Jeff
Rabe was so selfless and worked so hard for the sport. He always put himself second. The night prior to his accident he was in here providing a bike (his own bike) to a new junior rider and setting up her position so she could do her first bike race, which she did this morning. He was devoted to developing junior riders and always helped them get involved in enjoying the sport. When I had girlfriend problems (and I’ve had a lot of them) he was the guy who told me to get my shit together. There are a million stories about him. He was a great person, a really great person.
I just attended a friend’s funeral a couple of weeks ago. He was also killed in a tragic accident that should have never happened. His oldest daughter is getting married next weekend.
I never knew Micheal but I can relate to your loss. My sincere sympathies.
Greg(Cerveloguy)
I never knew Michael R. Rabe personally, but I have certainly gotten to become familiar with his name, being a downriver cyclist. He has made an impression in my life, from stories in your editorials, to plans of mine to attend a Wed. night group ride in order to learn cycling tactics from him, to seeing his name everywhere there is something to do with cycling in southeast michigan. My thoughts and prayers are with you and all those close to Michael R. Rabe. I’m truly sorry I never got to meet him.
My thoughts and prayers will be with the Rabe Family and close friends. His devotion to the sport was like no other I have seen. I did not know Mike very well but did know of his contributions to the community. After talking to a close friend of Mike’s today, all people who knew him well are devesated and truley saddened. Although he is gone, his promoting of cycling, kindness and support to the youth he encountered, and his never ending generosity will never be forgotten.
The funeral service for Michael R. Rabe is Tuesday, May 6 at the L.J. Griffin Funeral Home at 7707 Middlebelt Road, just south of Ann Arbor Trail in Westland, Michigan. The phone number for the funeral home is (734)522-9400. Viewing is tentatively scheduled from 3:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Tuseday. A memorial service will follow immediately at 7:00 P.M. A reception following the memorial has been proposed at Bikesport following the memorial. Details will be posted on a special edition of bikesportmichigan.com after 11:00 A.M. on Sunday, May 4. Please visit the special edition of this web site to learn about the life of Michael R. Rabe.
I didn’t know Michael either, but it sounds like you both shared the same knowledge, passion, intensity and generosity of (and for) the art of cycling. I am sorry for your loss Tom. It is a good thing that he had such a good friend in you to carry on his legacy. I will say a prayer for both of you tomorrow morning before my ride. Peace be with you Tom.
Thank you all for your kind words. For those Slowtwitch readers who never knew or met Michael R. Rabe, it is a shame. He was an eccentric and ecclectic man of superior intellect. His encyclopedic knowledge of bicycle racing was nothing short of remarkable. Several of his friends and I just had dinner as the gravity of his loss begins to settle on us. How his many contributions to cycling will be filled is a mystery at this point. As former U.S. Postal Team Captian Frankie Andreu said over dinner, “Rabe was involved in everything”. Three remina at the forefront of this terrible loss:
- Everyone would do well to continue the legacy of Micahel R. Rabe and give back to the sport they love through volunteering for events, clubs, etc. They should support the participation of juniors in the sport.
- For those who knew Michael R. Rabe, incorporate the many fine aspects of his character: Honesty, unswerving integrity, dilligence and tireless enthusiasm, into their lives- thus continuing his legacy.
- Remember that our sport is extremely dangerous. Be safe while riding and always wear a helmet as Michael R. Rabe did.
I haven’t known Mike for as long, but he has become a dear friend in the last couple years. He will be missed by those closest to him, those in the local cycling community, and I bet; many of you. As mentioned above, if you’ve attended a cycling event in the midwest, you’ve seen his work. He was such a pillar, he took on tasks no one wanted, got countless volunteers to help with his efforts. He was the greatest ambassador to cycling. We’ve lost a man who has touched everyone.
Tom,
I have never met Michael, but I feel your loss. I, and speaking for our local cycling community,will mourn his loss. He will be in our prayers.
Shawn
I never had the pleasure of meeting the man, but could always tell from your countless mentioning of him (on your website, here, etc) that he was a very good friend of yours as well as a pilar of the local cycling community. Tom, I am terribly sorry for your loss.
I know that he will always be remembered by those who knew him as his spirit lives on through the continued efforts of Bikesport and his friends for the continued sponsorship of grassroots cycling, triathlon, and junior rider development.
A brief tribute to Michael R. Rabe has been posted in place of www.bikesportmichigan.com. Please visit this site to learn about the life of this wonderful man, my best friend for 18 years, Michael R. Rabe.
Thank you for that…
You must be very lucky to have him as a friend and He was lucky to have you as a friend.
We don’t hear enough about people like that.
Although I never met him I recognize him and the characters from several of your editorials…
my condolences
With deepest sympathies, though I did not now him I now and I feel that we have lost one of our own, a friend.
My thoughts and prayers to his famaly, to all who new and loved,him in person and in spirit.
Henk
It’s just so hard…best friend for 18 years. Hang in there Tom, thanks for sharing Michael’s story. Loved the Detroit stop-light exchange. Priceless!
Michael R. Rabe will definitly be missed by more people than most of us can comprehend. His loss will definitly impact all of his associates lives for a long time to come, but I feel it is important for each of us to comtinue to carry on in the Rabe tradition, and let the legend live on. what he did for the sport cannot be described, and now it is of the utmost importance for all people to re-access their contributions to their sporting comunity, and do as Rabe did. I considered Rabe one of my friends, and he was almost like a family member to myself and others who were often graced with his presence. this is said with my deepest regards. He will be missed…