Robert Rahn
Robert “Bob” Ronald Rahn, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 28, 1940, passed away peacefully at his home in Hixson the morning of his 80th birthday.
While his health had been declining over the last few weeks and the last 28 years had brought many medical challenges for him, God blessed him with an active life enjoying his family, friends, numerous activities, and God’s beautiful mountains and rivers. His family, friends, and physicians knew him as a spirited fighter who beat the odds repeatedly.
Bob grew up in Milwaukee, fell in love with the girl next door, Karen, and they began a life long journey together as husband and wife. After serving in US Air Force and completing his Masters at the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, he furthered his education at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana in the Doctoral Program of Metallurgy. He had a successful career as a nuclear engineer at TVA in Chattanooga and several other companies in the southeast including engineer for NASA Manned Space Craft Center (1971), Specialist in Nuclear Fuel Reliability for TVA in Chattanooga (1972), Westinghouse Savannah River Plant in Augusta, GA (1990), Registered Professional Engineer in South Carolina (1995), Martin-Marietta in Oak Ridge, TN (1995), Lockheed-Martin in Paducah, KY (1998). In 2000, he and his wife, Karen, returned to Chattanooga to enjoy retirement with their family and friends and travel across the US in their RV. He was an active member at St. Luke United Methodist Church. Hiking, tennis, fishing, and the outdoors were an important part of his life and he was a member of the Chattanooga Hiking Club, the Racket Club, Chattanooga Tennis Association, and the Cherokee Camping Club. He loved pickle ball, ping-pong, and tennis and participated in the Senior Olympics for several years. His greatest love was his family, and he was equally loved by them.
His quiet, but fighting spirit, will be missed. His family rests assured that God will give them strength and comfort and that they will see him again in Heaven.
Bob is survived by his wife of 57 years, Karen (Newman) Rahn, their children Lorrie (Mike) Holland, Jeff (Jackie) Rahn, Ronny (Gina) Rahn, grandchildren Michael (Meredith) Holland, Josh (Allie) Holland, Jeff (Haley) Rahn, Jessica (Travis) Dubert, Jordan Rahn, Nick Rahn, and Jacob Rahn, and great-grandchildren Mary McKenna Holland, Noa Holland, Charlotte Rahn, Bobby Holland, and Tessa Mae Dubert.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Luke UMC, 3210 Social Circle, Chattanooga, TN 37415.
A graveside service will be held at the Chattanooga National Cemetery at a date to be determined.
Arrangements entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, Tn. 37415, 423 877-3524, lanefh.com.