Harry Albert Rauch, Jr. was born on December 13, 1952 in Toledo, Ohio to Harry and Florence (Setchell) Rauch. He passed away on July 16, 2021 in Bay Pines, Florida at the age of 68.
Family
Harry is survived by his loving wife Barbara (Mayes) Rauch to whom he was married for 24 years; son Barry (Jillian) Rauch; mother Jean Rauch; sister Elizabeth Camp; brother Paul (Christine) Terry; sisters in law Karen, Kim (David); brother in law Kenny (Denise); stepdaughter Jenna Mayes; stepson Paul Mayes; grandchildren Leil, Leilani, Keanna, Damon, Corrina, Donovan and many loving nieces and nephews.
Military
Harry joined the United States Air Force on May 18, 1971 in Coral Gables, Florida. He served for four years during the Vietnam War time period and was honorably discharged on May 21, 1975 at Homestead AFB at the rank of Sergeant (Sgt.). While in the military Harry’s responsibilities were related to the maintenance and operations of various weapons systems.
Awards and Decorations
At the time of his honorable discharge Sergeant Rauch was eligible to wear the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and the Air Force Longevity Service Award on his uniform.
Life
Harry loved his family. After the military Harry worked in Information Technology (IT) and network security. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, sailing and enjoyed soccer. While overseas in Vietnam he played goalie on the soccer team among the guys he was stationed with. On one occasion Harry was presented a game ball by the king of Thailand. He was also involved in the Boy Scouts of America as a Scout Master as well as a board member in the local Little League.
Services
A graveside service with military honors provided by the United States Air Force is still in the process of scheduling with Bay Pines National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the Rauch family has asked that any memorial contributions be made to the Vietnam Veterans of America or your favorite charity.
Friends, family, and those who served with Harry are invited to share a memory and sign his guestbook below.
Reinn and I are so sad to hear of Harry’s passing. Our deepest condolences to the Rauch Family. May you be surrounded by so much Love during this difficult time. Sending our Love
My sympathy to Harry’s family. I am a first cousin thru my Mom who was Harry’s dad’s sister Caroline. I have fond memories of spring break visits to Aunt Jean& Uncle Harry’s home in Tampa where my brother Mark and I would connect with our cousins.
So sorry to hear of his death.
Sincerely, Debbie Fisher Cox
To the Rauch family, my deepest thoughts and condolences. I worked with Harry for many years at Eckerd College. I was a member of the Mathematics Discipline and Harry was my go-to-guy in ITS.. I used computers in my teaching but, as Harry was soon to find out, I was quite capable of messing up the technology. Give me a button to press and I will invariably press the wrong one. Harry was in my office and in the math computer lab countless times sorting out and correcting my bumbling. He told me once that if I was ever in doubt as to what to press on my computer to hit CTRL C. At least that would minimize the damage, he said. More than that, however, I am most thankful for the help that Harry gave to my children. All three attended Eckerd and on their first day in the dorms Harry made it a point to go see them and ensure that their computers – their eMacs and iMacs – were all set up and connected properly. During those Autumn Term check-ins, Harry would ask me what their dorm room numbers were and then he would stop in unannounced and make sure everything was working okay. My boys were (and still are) into online gaming – Final Fantasy – and Harry knew, more than I, how important internet speed was to them. I don’t know how he did it but he got them ‘no- lagging’ speed for all of their time in the dorms. I was very saddened to hear of Harry’s passing. Know that I am sending positive thoughts your way.
Much love and sympathy going to my friend Barbara and the whole Rauch family 💜
Sending the Rauch family lots of love during this time and always. Our deepest sympathies.