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Harvey Rabin, beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, passed away on June 14, 2025, at Birchwood Plaza Nursing and Rehabilitation, after a long struggle with Multiple Sclerosis. Harvey was born in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, on January 3rd 1948, and lived most of his life in that city. He graduated with a degree in history from the University of Chicago in 1970. He served in the National Reserves with distinction, receiving an honorable discharge and worked at the post office during college, as did his father Samuel, before serving as a social worker with the federal government for many years. An eternal optimist with an infectious smile and generous laugh, Harvey’s charm, phenomenal sense of humor and listening and conversational skills won him friends and girlfriends wherever he went. He was also a loving father and grandfather who took tremendous pleasure in his children’s accomplishments–particularly Nathan and Shari’s books and his daughters’ induction into Phi Beta Kappa. One of the highlights of his life was gaining full custody of Anna and Nathan in 1978. His other loves included blues music, sweets, philately, the Chicago White Sox, dad jokes, Civil War history and the 1944 musical film Meet Me in Saint Louis. Culture in all of its forms–theater, museums, music, films and literature–was a constant throughout his life. He enjoyed travel, backpacking around Europe in his early thirties and visiting his daughter in France and DC in later life. He was also a man who enjoyed simple pleasures. Free bread before a meal never failed to make him smile. He was a committed Reform Jew and a member of Emanuel Congregation in Chicago. Passionate about politics and an advocate for a kinder, more just world from a young age, he volunteered throughout his life with electoral campaigns and grassroots organizations fighting for housing and disability rights. He himself modeled how to live a joyful, generous and meaningful life with a chronic illness and limited means. He is survived by his children Anna (Cedric Briand), Nathan (Danya Maloon), and Shari (Matthew Berkman); his grandchildren Emma Solenn Briand-Rabin, Declan Haven Dilla Rabin, Harris Theodore Rabin, and Margalit Esther Rabin-Berkman; his brothers Ephrem (Mary) and Louis (Judy) and their families; and a network of Sacks and Gerber cousins. A private memorial service will be held for family and close friends. The family requests that donations be sent to a fund for a future Harvey Rabin disability studies essay prize at the UW-Madison (please reach out to Shari at sharirabin@gmail.com if you wish to donate to this fund) or to OneNorthside.
