Franklin 'Spec' Kjar Rahbeck

A memorial service for Franklin "Spec" Kjar Rahbeck, 85, a native Nevadan, will be 11 a.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Gardnerville.

Mr. Rahbeck died Sept. 23, 2007, at his Wind River Ranch home. He was born May 2, 1922, to Teena and Peter Rahbeck in the Rahbeck Hotel in Gardnerville, now the J.T. Basque Bar and Dining room.

He attended Carson Valley schools, graduating from Douglas County High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a naval aviator.

After the war he returned to his studies at the University of Nevada, Reno studying business. He was married to Irene Plimpton. After the death of Irene he married Patricia Martin in 1957.

He formed Plimpton and Rahbeck Lumber Co. with his brothers-in-law. He opened the Outdoorsman Sporting Goods Store in South Lake Tahoe, which received the Ski Industries National Retailer of the Year Award.

He enjoyed playing golf and belonged to numerous country clubs and participated in golf tournaments throughout the country. He served as a board member to many local businesses including Harveys Resort Hotel and Casino, First Interstate Bank of Nevada, Wells Fargo Bank and the advisory board for the Washoe Indian Tribe.

He was one of Tahoe Valley's first fire chiefs, a founding member of the Rotary Club in South Lake Tahoe and the Barton Hospital Foundation. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, a Shriner, Carson Valley Nut Club, Hidden Valley Country Club, Edgewood Tahoe Country Club, Canvasback Gun Club and Carson Valley Gun Club.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Irene, and sister Lourinda Wines of Ruby Valley.

Among his survivors are his wife of 50 years of Gardnerville; sons and daughters-in-law, Jeffery and Kathy of Gardnerville and Steven and Cathie of Lake Tahoe; grandsons, Scott and Marty; sister and brother-in-law, Jack and Maria Martin; numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Douglas County Historical Society, Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care, Douglas Animal Welfare Group or to a charity of your choice. FitzHenry's Carson Valley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.