Dennis Forbes McCabe, 74, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, died suddenly April 25, 2025, in Myrtle Beach.   A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on June 28 at the Meher Spiritual Center in North Myrtle Beach.

Dennis was born August 9, 1950, in Evanston, IL, grew up in Deerfield, IL, and later attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  After graduating with his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, he ultimately moved to Myrtle Beach where he volunteered, and was eventually hired, to work at the Meher Spiritual Center. Dennis served on the grounds-keeping staff and also as a program organizer/director for the next 40 years. His large presence and his infectious enthusiasm at the Center have been described as “irreplaceable.” 

During his undergraduate years, a childhood friend told him about Meher Baba, who became a major focus for the rest of Dennis’ life.  Meher Baba taught that God is everywhere and in everything; God is not to be studied, analyzed, talked and argued about but to be experienced. The human soul has the capacity to experience the presence of God, but our minds and emotional engrossment with the material aspects of our lives prevents us from fully experiencing His presence. Dennis began to study the life and teachings of Meher Baba, and was profoundly drawn to become involved with the Meher Spiritual Center in Myrtle Beach.

Dennis was also an outstanding athlete; he wrestled and played football at Deerfield High School and then received a scholarship to wrestle at the University of Illinois, where he excelled. Dennis was passionate lover of all sports, but he was known, by anyone who was around him for longer than 24 hours, to be a die-hard fan of his Chicago teams (Bulls, Bears, Cubs, Blackhawks, White Sox) and the University of Illinois basketball team.  Later in life, he loved to run and play pickup basketball games, and for a time played in a local volleyball league. Since the early 1990s he could be found shooting baskets at Pepper Geddings Gym three days a week for an hour and a half where he would meet and make friends with the kids of all ages in the after-school programs, and he would follow their careers with great pleasure.  The staff at the gym all knew him well,  and nicknamed him “Mr. Three-Pointer.”

Dennis is survived by his wife of 33 years, Mardi McCabe, with whom he shared a lifetime of wonderful memories.  He is also survived by his mother, Peggy McCabe of Deerfield, his brother Philip (Sylvia) of Coral Gables, FL, nephews P.J. Buhler and Andrew Buhler (Hanayo), and their children, Tai and Lina.  Dennis was preceded in death by his father, Donald McCabe, who passed away in 1970.

Dennis was a caring, thoughtful, and spiritual person, who brought a smile to anyone who met him.  He was a loving husband, brother and son, and a devoted servant to Meher Baba and the Meher Spiritual Center, which he so deeply cared about.  He will be greatly missed.

“We remain resigned to His will, the One who knows what is best in all things.”

Donations in Dennis’ memory can be made to the Meher Spiritual Center, 10200 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach, SC 29572, or on their website (www.mehercenter.org).