The passing of former 49ers’ public relations executive Dave Rahn has completely rocked former players and even a former owner. Rahn, who was 50, died Thursday in San Diego after a 27-month battle with melanoma. He is survived by his wife, Holly, and countless friends.

Several former players and coaches visited Rahn in his final days, and former 49ers linebacker Gary Plummer hosted a well-attended barbecue for him in celebration of his life in July.

Plummer also took Rahn to treatments, appointments and was by his side when he passed on Thursday morning.

“I gave back 100th over the last 27 months of what that dude gave to me,” Plummer said. “It was such an honor.”

While driving from San Diego to Santa Monica for treatments, Plummer said that Rahn was constantly on phone talking to former players, coaches, trainers, and other friends associated with the 49ers during Rahn’s tenure from 1986 to 2002.

“He was like a wheel, and all these spokes from those years came from him,” Plummer said. “He kept the 49ers family from those times together. It’s going to take dozens of people to do what he did.”

After leaving the 49ers, Rahn spent 12 years as a concert manager for Fleetwood Mac, Lionel Richie and Cheryl Crow.

“He would treat the fifth-rung lighting guy the same way he would treat Stevie Nicks.” Plummer said. “What made Dave so special was his ability to connect.”

Former 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr., flew out to be with Rahn during his final moments. However, with Rahn slipping fast, Plummer and Holly were worried Rahn would pass before DeBartolo’s arrival.

“The last thing he said was that he would hang on until Eddie got there,” Plummer related.

Delayed in Tampa because of a traffic snarl caused by a Barack Obama appearance, DeBartolo, who Rahn simply called, “boss,” did finally arrive to see Rahn through his final moments.

“Eddie was phenomenal,” Plummer said. “I wish I could have recorded it, but out of respect and the humanity of those two, I couldn’t.”

What Rahn worried about most in his final months was that he had not left much financially for Holly, who married him only nine months before he was diagnosed with melanoma. But those who loved Rahn stepped up, including singer Chris Isaak, who made two custom guitars and auctioned them off for $48,000.

“It was amazing, (former players) who give whatever they could, $100, $500,” Plummer said. DeBartolo and other prominent former 49ers have assured Holly that finances will not be a concern.

“You hear so many bad sports stories these days,” Plummer said. “But this one is truly magical.”