His father, Ernst W. Raba, was a well-known photographer and artist in San Antonio, Texas.
Raba graduated summa cum laude from St. Mary's University, Texas in 1934.
Following the JAG program, Raba served in the JAGC 8th Service Command Headquarters in Dallas.
Shortly after his time in the service, Raba was appointed Dean of St. Mary's University School of Law in 1946.
In 1978, Raba retired as the longest tenured law school dean in the United States.