The corner parking spot of the Wilcox Theater was once occupied by a front parked car. Every morning students would see a tall, jolly man walk out on his way to work. That was Mr. Rabe, an educator in the Santa Clara Unified School District who spent 20 years at New Valley helping at-risk youth, and the last 5 years at Wilcox teaching the Horizons program. Unfortunately, on the morning of September 3rd, 2025, Mr. Rabe passed away in his sleep. Though our school and community misses him very much, we would like to commemorate his achievements as much as possible to truly convey the amazing man he was.  

Mr. Rabe had a talent for not just being an educator, but a trusted adult for students.  He would attend their soccer games, fashion shows, and anything else they were passionate about. Mr. Rabe would not only talk to students about their academics, but about their lives outside of school. He was more than just a teacher to the students, he was a friend. He was an honest and genuine person who was straightforward, yet always supportive of those he advised. 

On his whiteboard, Mr. Rabe had a set of laws that he was committed to following. On the board it was inscribed: “High schools do not socially promote students…. take ownership and act like an adult…..it’s required to say goodmorning.. Ladies must thank the gentleman who waits for them… to be extraordinary you just need to be a little extra.” By having this on his board every morning, Mr. Rabe motivated students to be the best versions of themselves.. He didn’t just teach them to be academically smart, he was a life skills teacher. He didn’t just teach for a pay raise or a test score, he taught to change a life.

Ms. Cabello, a school counselor at Wilcox, was especially close with Mr. Rabe. She stated, “One thing Mr. Rabe would always do every Friday before students left for the weekend to tell them to make good choices, don’t become Moms or Dads, and don’t get arrested”. She hopes for the future that students will always remember that Mr. Rabe believed in them, even if no one else did.

Zenit Nezirovich is another student particularly close with Mr. Rabe. Nezirovich states that he would take a picture every year with Mr. Rabe at the first football game of the year. Although he wasn’t a part of his class, Nezirovich bonded with Mr Rabe over the years and became close with him. He states that, “Even though I wasn’t his student, he still bonded and connected with me. He always found a way to connect with every student no matter what their circumstances were.” This is the first time since freshman year Zenit won’t be able to take a picture with Mr. Rabe at the first football game.

Students are commemorating Mr. Rabe through a memorial poster in the theater where his car was once parked. Students placed their hands in paint and wrote notes to Mr. Rabe on a poster. All are welcome to partake in this activity. The Wellness Center and Counseling Department is offering help to anyone who needs mental health help from this unfortunate circumstance.

​​While Mr. Rabe is gone, he should always be remembered for his positive attitude, ability to make change, and his impact on his students. His presence filled the halls with encouragement and honesty, and his lessons went  beyond the classroom. Students will carry his words and his belief in their lives for years to come. The corner spot outside the theater may no longer hold his car, but it will always symbolize the space he created for others. To honor his memory our community continues the work he began: inspiring students to lead with integrity, strive for excellence, and believe in themselves even when the world feels heavy. Rabe’s legacy is not only etched in the walls of Wilcox, but in the lives of every student he touched.