10/27/2026
🌟 Client Spotlight 🌟
For Stan Rabe, the path to retirement, and to a life deeply rooted in community, has been anything but ordinary.
Stan began his career as a teacher, where a summer course in accounting sparked an interest in business and ultimately led to a career change. After several years in the classroom, Stan transitioned into accounting and eventually joined IBM, where he spent 25 years working all over the world before retiring.
But even as his career evolved, one thing remained constant: a desire to learn, contribute, and stay connected to the community.
That spirit eventually brought Stan back to Ames, where an interest in sewing led to an unexpected connection with ACTORS, the local community theater. A friend involved with the theater needed help with costumes, and Stan was happy to pitch in. That first volunteer opportunity became a much larger commitment.
Over the years, Stan has taken on nearly every role imaginable with ACTORS, from costume work and producing to directing and serving on the board. And when the COVID-19 pandemic presented an opportunity to rethink the theater's space, Stan helped lead the effort to move forward. ACTORS undertook a major renovation and expansion, creating a modernized space that would allow the organization to welcome more people and continue bringing live theater to the Ames community.
That same commitment to community extends to Stan's approach to philanthropy. He became a client of Syverson Strege after previously working with a family member who was a financial adviser. Through Syverson Strege's educational sessions, Stan began exploring a more intentional approach to managing taxes through charitable giving.
For Stan, the value goes beyond the potential tax benefits because his relationship with Syverson Strege allows him to make his philanthropic decisions separate from his tax decisions.
That distinction is an important one. For Stan, giving isn't simply a financial strategy but an opportunity to support the people, organizations, and places that make a community stronger. At Syverson Strege, we're honored to be part of Stan's journey and to help create the clarity and confidence needed to make those decisions intentionally.
Disclosure: Stan Rabe is a Syverson Strege client. No compensation was provided to obtain or promote this spotlight and testimonial. This spotlight is being shared for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as a recommendation of Syverson Strege.
