By Nicole Hamilton
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HYDE PARK - Karin Rabe, who taught English at the University of Cincinnati for 23 years, died April 4 at Hospice of Cincinnati in Blue Ash after a six-year battle with breast cancer. She was 58.

"She was a very quiet person, and there was a gentleness about her. But she really had a clear and sharp mind. She wasn't arrogant about that - although she was very intelligent, she never tried to impose herself onto other people," said her longtime friend, Carol Rainey of Mount Washington.

Born in Heidelberg, Germany, Rabe and her family moved to Cincinnati when she was child, after her father, an astronomy professor, was offered a position at the University of Cincinnati.

She graduated from Walnut Hills High School before continuing her education at the University of Cincinnati.

After graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a master's degree in English, Ms. Rabe began her career as an English instructor. "She was a great lover of literature, there are probably 1,500 books in her condo," said her niece, Monika Fannin of Dayton.

The Hyde Park resident volunteered as a public education coordinator for Women Helping Women's Rape Crisis Center, and she "knew everything about computers," said Rainey. "She could take them apart and put them back together. She was just brilliant."

A photographer and wildlife enthusiast, Ms. Rabe often visited the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, where she enjoyed photographing the animals.

In addition to her niece, other survivors include her mother, Erika Rabe-Decker of Hyde Park; another niece, Marguerite Greiner ; an uncle and a cousin.

Services were private.

Memorials may be made to the Wellness Community, 4918 Cooper Road, Cincinnati, 45242, or to the Komen Foundation, P.O. Box 650309 Dallas, Texas 75265-0309.

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E-mail nhamilton@enquirer.com