Sterling William Rahe

Sterling William “Butch” Rahe, age 57, of Toledo, died January 1, 2024, at The University of Toledo Medical Center. He was born July 26, 1966, in Toledo, Ohio to the late Sterling E. and Mary Ann (Thompson) Rahe. He attended St. Agnes School and graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1984. Butch served in the United States Air Force from 1985-88 and went on to join the 180th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard. He was employed with Cessna Citation from 1990-2000. He was an A & P licensed aircraft mechanic until 1996 when he was promoted to aircraft scheduling and marketing.

Butch was extremely hard working and will be remembered as a selfless public servant and dedicated family man. He served on the Springfield Township Fire Department from 1993 as a volunteer Firefighter and then transitioned to a part time position until the present. Butch’s dream was always to be a Toledo firefighter and paramedic. His dream became reality with the Toledo Fire and Rescue Department starting in 2000 to the present. In 2017, he was promoted to the position he currently held with TFRD, Public Information Officer. Through this position Butch explored his passions for photography, videography, social media management, and recently achieving his goal of obtaining his drone license. Butch has also impacted TFRD by assisting with training new recruits, instructing the paramedic program, and teaching at Owens Community College and Davis-Besse.

Butch’s commitment to TFRD was only surpassed by his devotion to his wife and sons who were the true lights of his life. Butch knew Becky was the love of his life the moment he met her. They married within 6 months of meeting and have spent 31 loving years together.

What he enjoyed most with Becky was spending time traveling, movie dates and relaxing at home together. Butch passed on his life values, drive, commitment, work ethic and words of wisdom onto his sons. He was their biggest hero, encouraging and supporting all their endeavors. He enjoyed coaching and watching Jon play baseball. They bonded and made memories by traveling to Detroit, Pittsburgh and staying local to support their favorite baseball and hockey teams, which included the Tigers, Redwings, Penguins, Mud Hens, and Walleye.

From a young age, Jon visited Station 16 and 17, where he was able to explore the fire trucks, engines, and squads, which gave him a love and passion for heavy equipment, leading him to his career path of obtaining his CDL. Butch and Caleb cherished their visits to local bookstores, video game store, and attending Comic-Con events. They bonded over their passion for technology, which lead Caleb into computer science to become a computer technician. Butch always took care of his family, near and extended, including his sisters. They lost a piece of their “five-man-team” and will never be the same.

Left to affectionately remember Butch is his beloved wife Rebecca “Becky” Naves-Rahe; sons, Jon Tyler (Marina) Rahe and Caleb Michael Rahe; sisters, Jennifer (Roc Sr.) Roytek, Kathleen (Jim) Brazeau, Amy (Tom) Swinford, and Molly Rahe; aunts, Kathy and Pat Thompson; and numerous nieces and nephews. Butch was also preceded in death by a sister, Sharon Rahe; and his wife’s parents, William Naves Jr. and Dorothy M. Naves.

Visitation will be held from 12-8 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2024, in the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. (west of Corey Rd.). Butch’s funeral, Last Alarm Service and military honors rendered by the United States Air Force, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 6, 2024, at Savage Arena on the Campus of The University of Toledo. Additional visitation will begin one hour prior to ceremonies at 12 noon. A funeral procession to honor Butch will conclude the services for the day. Interment will be private.

Contributions in his name are suggested to The Toledo Firefighters Museum, 918 W. Sylvania Ave., Toledo, OH 43612 or the Toledo Fire and Rescue Foundation, 545 N. Huron St., Toledo, OH 43604.