Obituary for Thomas William Raab
This is a true story. Tom Raab of Black Mountain was a man who had kindness and goodness in his heart, a photographer, teacher, gardener, beekeeper, project-starter, and teller of true stories. He died January 20, 2021, at the age of 72.
A wise guide, he taught us to take the time to look, to see the world in all its beautiful light and color, to notice and appreciate the subtleties and intricacies of its visual images, and to value and understand an image for “how it appears, not what it depicts.”
We are filled with gratitude for all that he shared with those he loved – his insatiable curiosity about the world; his abundant joy in everyday life; his love of nature and the outdoors; his sense of humor and gentle teasing that made everything better; and his blue eyes and contagious, laughing smile that no one could resist.
He will live in the hearts of all those who loved him – students; colleagues; caregivers; dear friends; brothers; sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews; his beloved children, Becker Raab and partner Ruthie Embry, Erin Leonard, Todd Guill; grandchildren, Sabrina, Cooper, and Morgane; and his wife, Melinda, whom he loved every day and night.
We are forever grateful for friends and family who supported us and kept us nourished; for the staff and caregivers at MountainCare Adult Day who loved and cared for him; for the anachronistic musician at MountainCare Music Therapy Program who brought musical memories and joy into our home; and for the nurse, social worker, and volunteer at CarePartners Hospice who provided unending and compassionate care.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions are encouraged to consider the Asheville center of MountainCare Adult Day Services (mountaincareservices.org or mail to MountainCare Adult Day Services, PO Box 5956, Asheville, NC 28813).
A wise guide, he taught us to take the time to look, to see the world in all its beautiful light and color, to notice and appreciate the subtleties and intricacies of its visual images, and to value and understand an image for “how it appears, not what it depicts.”
We are filled with gratitude for all that he shared with those he loved – his insatiable curiosity about the world; his abundant joy in everyday life; his love of nature and the outdoors; his sense of humor and gentle teasing that made everything better; and his blue eyes and contagious, laughing smile that no one could resist.
He will live in the hearts of all those who loved him – students; colleagues; caregivers; dear friends; brothers; sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews; his beloved children, Becker Raab and partner Ruthie Embry, Erin Leonard, Todd Guill; grandchildren, Sabrina, Cooper, and Morgane; and his wife, Melinda, whom he loved every day and night.
We are forever grateful for friends and family who supported us and kept us nourished; for the staff and caregivers at MountainCare Adult Day who loved and cared for him; for the anachronistic musician at MountainCare Music Therapy Program who brought musical memories and joy into our home; and for the nurse, social worker, and volunteer at CarePartners Hospice who provided unending and compassionate care.
Those wishing to make memorial contributions are encouraged to consider the Asheville center of MountainCare Adult Day Services (mountaincareservices.org or mail to MountainCare Adult Day Services, PO Box 5956, Asheville, NC 28813).