Richard George Rausch Sr.

Richard George Rausch, Sr., 98, of Danbury, CT, died peacefully at home on June 4, 2023 with his loving wife Erma at his side. He was born on May 14, 1925, in South Hadley, MA to the late Frank P. Rausch, Sr. and Dorothy Brouker Rausch, and is predeceased by his late brother Frank P. Rausch, Jr.

Richard was the loving and devoted husband of more than 72 years to Erma B. Rausch, and beloved father to Richard Rausch, Jr. (Luciana) of Bethel, CT, Laura Lash (James) of Evanston, IL, James Rausch (Sarah) of Ellsworth, ME, Dorothy Lapoint (Richard) of Pittsburg, NH, Carol Dayfield (Leon) of Danbury, CT, and Stephen Rausch (Sandra) of Olive Branch, MS. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends, including 22 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Richard had a very distinguished career in the field of education with more than 65 years of service. After graduating from Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) in 1950, he taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade mathematics and social studies at Riverside School in Greenwich. He then served for nine years as Principal of Webster Hill School in West Hartford and later as Assistant and Associate Superintendent of the Danbury Public Schools. In 1967, following his Ed.D. doctoral dissertation on the subject of regional educational services, he was instrumental in the initiation, solicitation, and gaining of local, state, and federal support and funding for the creation, organization, and development of the Regional Educational Services Center through Unified Effort (RESCUE). This new RESCUE organization provided vocational and technical educational services to 19 townships in western Connecticut, and was a revolutionary concept that spread to other regions throughout the United States. Having created RESCUE, he served as its first Executive Director, supervising and leading its program, staffing, and a grassroots citizen board of directors in serving the vocational and technical educational needs of their communities.

Continuing to serve in the state of Connecticut educational programs, in 1971 he began his tenure as Director of Instructional Services and Professor of Education at SCSU. In 1977 he was appointed by Governor Meskill to serve as the Executive Officer of the Connecticut State Council on Vocational and Technical Education, serving directly under Governors Grasso and O’Neill. In that role he served on the State of Connecticut Education, Employment, and Training Councils. In 1990, he joined Briarwood College in Southington as the Dean of Academic Affairs, and was later inaugurated as President of Briarwood in 1994, serving in that capacity through 2003. Under his leadership, Briarwood expanded its programmatic offerings to include degrees in Mortuary Science, Occupational Therapy Assistant, and Criminal Justice; implementation of the Jobs First Program, and the launch of the trademark Education for Life Program. Upon completion of his Presidency in 2003, his service continued as a board member, secretary, and treasurer of the Briarwood College Foundation.

Professionally, Dr. Rausch earned his B.S. from SCSU, and his M.A., Professional Diploma, and Ed.D. from Columbia University. He also received an Honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Briarwood College in 1986. Serving as President of the SCSU Faculty Association from 1975-1977, he was the founder and first president of that university’s first chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, from which he received the notable Diamond Jubilee Distinguished Fellow and Phi Delta Kappa Service Key Awards for outstanding service and contributions. He was also one the co-founders of the Western Connecticut University (WCSU) Phi Delta Kappa chapter. In addition, he served as an adjunct professor of education at WCSU, SCSU, Springfield College, and the University of Bridgewater.

During World War II, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 as one of the last 17-year-old enlistees and served his country faithfully for over 2 ½ years. This included service aboard the USS Ariel (AF22) as a Quartermaster Third Class involved in the support of the North Africa, Sicily, Italy, and Normandy campaigns, and later served on the USS (LST344) stateside. After the war he served in the USN reserve, doing a stint aboard the USS Wisconsin (BB64) during its 1947 European goodwill cruise training naval academy midshipmen.

Richard’s interests included gardening, fishing, stamp collecting, traveling with his wife Erma, New York Yankees baseball, and spending time with friends and family. He was an active volunteer with the Hartford area chapter of the Red Cross, Danbury Republican Town Committee, Connecticut Association of School Administrators, Phi Delta Kappa chapters at SCSU and WCSU, Danbury Lions Club, and served as President of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Parents' Association. As a young man he dedicated his life to following Jesus as his Savior and Lord, and he was an active and faithful member of St. James Episcopal Church of Danbury, serving on the vestry and chairing the Christian Education committee. He actively lived out his Christian faith by being a true friend to everyone, and his outgoing personality, uplifting manner, and positive outlook on life radiated out to all people he came in contact with throughout his entire life. He loved music and could often be heard softly singing a song or humming a tune.

A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at St. James Episcopal Church, 25 West St., Danbury on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 1:00pm. Following a private graveside committal, there will be a reception in the Luckenbill Hall at St. James Church.

Donations in Richard's memory can be made to support the Education Department at Western CT State University. These donations can be made by check payable to the WCSU Foundation, Inc. and mailed to WCSU Foundation Inc., University Hall 101, 181 White St., Danbury CT 06810. On the memo line of the check, indicate “Education Department, in memory of Richard G. Rausch Sr.”

Donations may also be made online using a credit card at the wcsu.edu internet link to giving, https://www.wcsu.edu/giving. In the Designation section, choose “Other”, then in the Other section indicate Education Department. Please be sure to complete Tribute information as “In memory of Richard G. Rausch Sr.” These donations will go toward the “ Education Honor Society Award” which is awarded at the annual convocation ceremony and given to WCSU students who demonstrate  exceptional community service and leadership.