Llewellyn Rabenberg

Llewellyn K. Rabenberg, 60, passed peacefully from this vale of tears on November 18, 2016 in Austin, Texas.

Lew was born in McLaughlin, South Dakota on February 20, 1956 to Don and Dorothy Rabenberg. He spent his formative years in the state, including getting his bachelor's degree from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City. The school always held a place in his heart, and it honored him with an Outstanding Recent Graduate Award.

From "Mines" he went on to get his masters and Ph.D. degrees from the University of California-Berkeley, finishing in 1983. Lew then began his lifelong teaching career at the University of Texas at Austin, where he taught engineering classes for over 30 years in the materials science area with a specialty in electron microscopy. He was a tough but fair teacher and it always helped if you showed up prepared for class and had done the homework he always assigned! He was proud of winning a Texas Excellence Teaching Award and The Bradley Stoughton Award for Young Teachers.

Lew enjoyed running and tennis while he was capable, and had many memorable matches, including the one and only time Pastor beat him. He loved working crossword puzzles, particularly the ones from the Saturday New York Times. He always sought out spicy foods, and even developed a habanero salsa for which friends clamored.
He was a faithful member of Holy Word Lutheran Church in Austin and served as its treasurer for over 20 years. He counts many members among his friends, particularly Donald Patterson who ministered to him with God's Word as well as friendship.

He is survived by his wife Beverly and his children Amy and Phillip. He is also survived by his mother, Dorothy Rabenberg, his brother Marv, his brother Dana and wife Cathy, his brother Keith and wife Kathy, his sister RisA� Seidl, his sister Rita Rabenberg, and his sister Lanita Herbener and husband Nyle.