Obituary of Richard Michael Raba

Richard Michael Raba, 61, died at his home in Stafford, Virginia on July 26, 2015.  He was born on January 12, 1954 in Rahway, New Jersey to Charles Edward Raba and Marguerite Clara Raba. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany and Biology from Utah State University, Richard continued his travels west and worked as a Scientist for Northrop Services, Environmental Sciences Group, in Corvallis, Oregon.  He later moved back to the northeast, landing in Ithaca, New York where he spent the next thirty years working as a Senior Research Specialist for the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research, and later as a Research Technician at Cornell University in the Department of Horticulture.   Survivors include his wife Laurie Hanley Raba of Stafford, Virginia; son Ryan Douglas Raba, his wife Ashley Elizabeth Raba, and their son, Julian Ryan Raba of Stafford, Virginia; son Evan Michael Raba and his wife Christine LaVonne Raba of Johnson City, Tennessee;  brother James Raba of Herndon, Virginia;  brother John Raba and wife Barbara of Delhi, New York; brother Charles Raba and wife Beth of Westfield, New Jersey.  Richard was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be held at the Adams-Green Funeral Home, 721 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia on Sunday, August 2 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm.  The funeral service will be held at the Trinity Presbyterian Church of Herndon, 651 Dranesville Road, Herndon at 11:00 am on Monday, August 3.  Immediately following the service, burial will be at Chestnut Grove Cemetery, 831 Dranesville Road.  Relatives and friends are welcome to gather at the church for food and visiting after the graveside burial. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the research of Dr. Nicholas John Maragakis at the ALS Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Special thanks to the Mary Washington Hospital Hospice program in Fredericksburg, Virginia for their kind and compassionate care for Richard during his final days.