Charles Theodore "Ted" Raabe

Charles Theodore "Ted" Raabe returned to his Heavenly Father and Most Beloved Mary Edith on December 25th 2024. He was 93 years young.

He is survived by his children Ken, Lyn, Mike and Beth; grandchildren Bryant, Christopher, Victoria, Justin, David, Adam, Regina, Alina, Holden and Mary; great-grandchildren Cole, Rowan and Valencia.

Known as Pop Pop to his adoring grandchildren he never failed to show up for their important events whenever he was able.

Ted was born March 23rd 1931 at St. Agnes hospital in Baltimore MD to Ernest William Charles Raabe of Baltimore MD and Evelyn L. Spilman Raabe of Taylors Island MD. As a young family they moved around the United States as Ernest served in the US Army. Ted attended High School in Frankfurt Germany returning to Taylors Island MD before attending The University of Maryland in College Park MD. He was an accomplished musician who played trumpet in the marching band. He said the real bonus was they fed them every time they played. He loved Sousa marches and could always be heard tapping his foot and humming along. It was there at a Lambda Chi Alpha/Alpha Chi Omega mixer in October 1950 that he met the love of his life Mary Edith while choosing partners to play pass the orange. After graduating with a BS in Civil Engineering and being Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Air Force he married his Mary Edith in the University of Maryland Chapel on December 19th 1954.

Ted and Mary started their married life in Germany while Ted was serving in the Army of Occupation, Germany. Upon returning to the US and obtaining his Masters Degree they left for California where he spent more than 20 years with the Forest Service. Ted continued with the Air Force reserves and retired with the rank of Major. He retired in 1980 from the Forest Service and they returned “home” to Maryland to be closer to their aging parents. Ted then began a career with FERC in Washington DC and retired in 2001 after 20 years. Once retired Ted and Mary traveled at every opportunity and continued their love story up until her death in 2011.

Ted was proud to serve as a Trustee for the Grace Foundation of Taylors Island MD and the family asks that in lieu of flowers a donation in his name be made to continue their important work.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, January 23, 2025 from 5pm to 7pm at Donald V. Borgwardt Funeral Home, 4400 Powder Mill Road, Beltsville, MD 20705. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 at 1pm at Thomas Funeral Home, P.A., 700 Locust Street, Cambridge, MD 21613. Interment will follow at Grace Episcopal Churchyard in Taylors Island, MD. Family will receive friends from 12pm to 1pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Grace Foundation, P.O. Box 119, Taylors Island, MD 21669.