John Brownell Rabel, a builder of homes, communities, and lasting memories, passed away peacefully at his home in Seattle on November 7th, 2025, surrounded by his family. He was 84.

John’s life was defined by the spaces he created, distinctive retreats built not just for shelter, but as basecamps for adventure, connection with family and friends, and the pursuit of the perfect catch. From the trout ponds of the Pacific Northwest to the bonefish flats of the Caribbean, John’s legacy is written in the landscapes he loved and the homes he built upon them.

Born in Seattle to Irvine Rabel and Hope Anna Grace Turner, John was a quintessential Northwest native. He graduated from Garfield High School and the University of Washington before serving honorably in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era. His commitment to service was a constant thread; early in his career he served in the Washington State House of Representatives for the 43rd District, driven always by a desire to give back. In the private sector, he stewarded his family’s legacy as Chairman of Star Rentals, the Pacific Northwest’s largest independent construction equipment rental company. John led with a deep commitment to the company’s leaders and staff, often remarking that Star’s employees were its greatest asset.

John’s true "map", however, was drawn in the wild places he inhabited. A passionate fly fisherman and skier, he had a gift for finding a beautiful stretch of water or a quiet valley and building a home where his family and friends could gather. His faithful canine companions—Rip, Sam, and Rocky—were rarely left behind, traveling with him from the Methow to the Caribbean, often found sitting in the bow of his drift boat or patrolling the shoreline while he fished.

In the Methow Valley, John hand-built “the Barrels” on Benson Creek near Twisp. Constructed from reclaimed redwood wine vats, the off-grid home was a marvel of ingenuity that served as John’s sanctuary and hosted countless family gatherings.  Accessible only via a winding dirt road, the Barrels sat on a trout pond that kept generations of fishermen and their dogs quite busy. He later built a log home on the Methow River near Mazama, where he advocated for the Early Winters Ski Resort and spent winters hunting for powder in the North Cascades.

John’s journey also took him to the shores of Useless Bay on Whidbey Island, where he designed a beach house that embraced the rhythm of the tides. Later, he and his beloved wife, Heidi, found a second home in Exuma, Bahamas where they spent many winters. There, they remodeled a beach compound that became their headquarters for bonefishing adventures and sun soaked gatherings on the sand. John immersed himself in the community, co-founding the Exuma Foundation to support local education and becoming a fixture at the National Family Island Regatta.

In their later years, John and Heidi settled in Carnation, Washington, renovating a century-old farmhouse they named Leaning Apple Farm. This became the site of Camp Cousin, a beloved summer tradition where John transformed into a camp counselor for his grandchildren. Parents were banished while "Opa" led river floats and archery sessions, fueling the chaos with hot dogs and marshmallows. His final architectural chapter brought him to the rolling hills of Santa Ynez, California, adding one last beautiful landscape to his collection.

John was deeply devoted to Heidi, his wife of nearly 50 years. Together they explored the culinary worlds of Europe and Africa, and at home, John was known for hosting loud, joyous dinners where he would inevitably steal a bite of a grandchild’s ice cream.

John is survived by his wife, Heidi Rabel; his brother, Bill Rabel; his children, Mari Revere (Mark), Eric Schwab (Ann), Anna Rabel (Consuela), and Peter Schwab (Stephanie); and his grandchildren, Kate, Sydney, Peter, Ella Maria, Clyde, Joseph, Olive, Eszter, Tanice and Maddox. He was preceded in death by his brother, Leigh W. Rabel.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Seattle Children’s Hospital: https://give.seattlechildrens.org/