Dr. Edgardo Louis Rabel

Dr. Edgardo Louis Rabel, DDS, also known as Ed or Bob, age 82, after a yearlong heroic fight, passed away on Thursday April 9th, 2015 at his sons home with his family present. He was born in Havana, Cuba, raised in New Orleans, graduated from Francis T. Nicholls High School, served in the US Navy, received a BS in Psychology from Tulane University, and graduated from Loyola University School of Dentistry in 1961. After reading on a dental school bulletin board that a budding town needed a dentist, he moved to Baker, LA to start a family dental practice where he practiced for 53 years. He was a long time member of the American Dental Association, Louisiana Dental Association, and The Academy of General Dentistry. He is survived by his wife Joyce Nuss Rabel, a native of New Orleans and graduate of Dominican High School, his two proud sons R. Brett Rabel, DDS (wife Elizabeth Rabel) and Michael N. Rabel, DDS (wife Amie Rabel) who joined his practice in 1991 and 2003, 5 grandchildren Justen, Mason, Parker, Grant & Colin Rabel, first granddaughter on the way, his sister Bebita Rabel Augustin, nephew Chuck Camp and his great nephews Chucky Camp and Patrick Camp. He is preceded by his father Joseph Louis Rabel, and mother Josephine Schmidt Rabel who resided in New Orleans. His hobbies included traveling, fishing, professional card playing and his many projects which included commercial and residential real estate development and investment, and especially his dental practice where his fascination with dentistry was reflected in his passion for the care of his patients. He always answered the office phone line personally after hours and frequently treated patients on weekends and holidays without the aid of his staff to help those in need, often discounting procedures to help those who could not afford to choose the best treatment. He was a longtime member of Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler and Endymion Mardi Gras Krewes. He will be remembered as a generous man, an innovative free thinker, and a leader whose courage and incessant determination inspired many. He is loved and will be missed by his family, friends, coworkers and patients. Visitation will be Sunday April 12, 2015 from 2-5:00 PM and Monday April 13, from 8:30 - 10:00 AM. A service will follow Monday's visitation from 10-11:00 AM with a reception from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East 11000 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge. Interment with military honors will follow at Greenwood Cemetery 120 City Park Ave. New Orleans at 2:30 PM. Pallbearers will be Justen Rabel, Chuck and Chucky Camp, Leo Bouquet, Rick Price, Gary Babin, and honorary pallbearer Ed Maxwell. Friends may sign the online guest book and leave a note at www.rabenhorst.com