Steven Rabe Schacht

Steven Rabe Schacht was born on January 14, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Eugene and Alice (Forsyth) Schacht. He attended St. Louis Country Day School, Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and Washington University in St. Louis, where he earned a bachelor’s degree and a Master of Arts in Economics. He moved to Washington D.C. in 1969 to take a position at the Federal Reserve Board and remained there the rest of his working life, retiring in 2001.

He met his wife, Beverly, at Union Avenue Christian Church in St. Louis in 1968, where both were active members of the young adult group. They married in St. Louis in 1970 and had two children, Robin and Eric.

Steve was an enthusiastic supporter of the DC theater and opera scenes and was a regular usher for performances at Arena Stage, the Shakespeare Theater and the Folger Theater. He also enjoyed playing bridge, fishing, spending two weeks with his family on Cape Cod every summer and volunteering for Bread for the City and Martha's Table, serving DC's homeless.

He was an active member of National City Christian Church, where he had many roles including singing in the choir, serving as a Deacon, an Elder, a Local Trustee and Chair of the Board.

Steve was a born teacher and spent one of the most enjoyable years of his life teaching Economics and Statistics at SUNY Plattsburgh from 1978-79, filling in for a professor on sabbatical. He also enjoyed teaching Sunday School at National City, and helping his children with their math homework while they were in school.

Steve used his retirement to travel extensively with Beverly, enjoying many visits to friends across the US, as well as to Robin at her home in London, England, and to Eric at his home in Frankfurt, Germany. They took a number of cruises in Europe as well as Central and South America, which he enjoyed both for the sights as well as the extensive buffets on board the ships.

He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2010, which unfortunately progressed rapidly. He moved to an assisted living apartment in Chevy Chase House in January 2015, and then to Potomac Manor Care nursing home in April 2016 where he remained until his death. Though he eventually lost nearly all physical mobility, his mind and humor remained sharp, and he continued to enjoy visits with friends and family, keeping up with politics, watching old movies and playing bridge. His grandson Joseph was born to Robin and her partner Sarah in January 2016, and it was a great joy for Steve to spend time with Joseph when they visited DC for two months this past summer.

Steve died suddenly but peacefully the evening of December 14, 2016. He is survived by Beverly, Robin and Eric, their partners Sarah and Dora, his grandson Joseph, and an extensive circle of friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Memorial Service at The National City Christian Church at 5 Thomas Circle N.W., Washington, DC 20005 on Thursday December 29, 2016 at 12:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to National City Christian Church Foundation, 5 Thomas Cir NW, Washington DC 20005 and Martha’s Table, 2114 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009.