Donald Eugene Rabung

May 17, 1935 -

Nov 14, 2021

Donald Eugene Rabung (Don) passed away at age 86 on Nov. 14, 2021 in McMinnville, Ore. Don was born on May 17, 1935 in Yakima, Wash. and was the youngest of 7 children born to Frank and Mary Rabung. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Dianne Marie Rabung (Naff) who passed away on March 30, 2018. Don and Dianne were high school sweethearts and were married on Sept. 24, 1955. This year would have been their 66th year together. They were married in Yakima, Wash. and lived there until 1965 when they moved their family to Anchorage, Alaska.

Don and Dianne are survived by their 7 children, Gene Rabung, Steve Rabung and his wife Shelli, William Rabung and his wife Joan, Sam Rabung and his wife Wendy, John Rabung and his wife Gina, Andy Rabung and his wife Julie, and Margaret Cyr (Rabung) and her husband Joe. Don and Dianne have 17 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. They were actively involved in Anchorage youth sporting activities along with their children. Don was usually a coach and Dianne was always the scorekeeper.

In 1953, Don was one of 22 high school baseball players selected from across the nation to play for the Hearst US All Star Team and played in the all-star game in New York City at the historic Polo Grounds Stadium. Don was also a former professional pitcher in the Cleveland Indians farm system in the 1950's. Don later brought his love of the game to Alaska and shared it with hundreds of young men as a coach and then as an official with the American Legion Baseball of Alaska. He was a longtime Legion district director and always preached honor and honesty. Don was one of the founders of high school baseball in Alaska, and in 1992 he was able to make it happen. It started with the Cook Inlet Conference and grew into a statewide ASAA tournament in 2000.

Don will be interned in Yakima, Wash. next to his bride Dianne. In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations be made to the Don and Dianne Rabung Scholarship fund. Donations can be sent to the Dimond Alumni Foundation, Don and Dianne Rabung Scholarship, 205 E. Dimond Blvd. #593, Anchorage, Alaska 99515.