Raymond Edward Dau

Raymond Edward Dau died Monday, May 20, 2024, at Clarissa Cook Hospice, Bettendorf, Iowa. The funeral service will be at noon. Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Weerts Funeral Home, Davenport, with Pastor Rick McGough officiating. Mr. Dau will then be honored with a military service and burial at Davenport Memorial Park.

Raymond Edward Dau was born November 11, 1930, in Davenport to Edward and Harriet (Felger) Dau. He was raised by his mother and adopted by her second husband, Fred Dau. Throughout his school years, Ray was active in the Central Turners and ROTC. He graduated from Central High School in 1948. After graduation, Ray worked as an Office Manager and later as an electrical apprentice for Carmichael Electric until being drafted in July of 1951.

This is when events in Ray’s young life shaped who he became. Ray soon discovered his time spent in ROTC had prepared him well for the military, and he began considering this as a career. After completing basic training with the Fifth Armored Division, Ray attended an army leadership school at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. He then was accepted into Officer Candidate School at Sand Hill Fort Benning, Georgia. After earning his Sergeant stripes and attaining more than enough points for graduating, due to events Ray asked not to be disclosed, he and several other young men resigned the OCS program ten days before graduation. They were promptly sent to Germany, and later into battle.

Ray fondly told stories of his time spent in Germany, but as with most who saw the war’s atrocities, he would not discuss his time on the battlefield except with a few close friends who had the same war experiences. However, a year before he died, Ray did discuss what he suffered through with his oldest daughter, Diana.

She relates his story:

A few months after mom died, we were discussing Heaven. My dad, who had been raised in the Lutheran faith, raised his family in a Presbyterian church, and later faithfully attended Moline New Life Fellowship, said he was worried about not being able to enter Heaven. I was shocked and asked why, to which he replied because of what he had to do during the Korean Conflict. I sat stoically, and for the first time, I understood my dad’s nighttime chills and nightmares. Dad said the arrogant US General MacArthur sent US troops to the Yalu River, which became known as the bloodiest battle of the Korean Conflict. “We were all sitting ducks waiting to be picked off one by one by the North Koreans on one side and the Chinese on the other. It was kill or be killed. They were just kids. We had to shoot kids.” I interrupted and reminded dad that he was just a kid, too. It was war. He did what he had to do, and God knew that. Dad continued his story. A grenade exploded next to him, and he was severely wounded, full of shrapnel. He didn’t remember who carried him off that battlefield. He recalled waking up in Germany, nearly deaf, and with shrapnel in his eyes that doctors were unable to remove. For this, dad was awarded the Purple Heart, but he refused it based on his principles. I offered to complete the paperwork to claim his medal. Dad replied, “Nah, I bought me one on e-bay.”

After serving the remainder of his time in Bremerhaven, Germany, Ray was honorably discharged in 1953. Despite his physical and mental scars from the war, dad remained proud of his service to his country which was frequently the main topic of his conversations. Ray’s fashion of choice that he wore every day were his multitudes of t-shirts and sweatshirts with a photo of him sitting with his #1 Howitzer. He said he always wondered what his life would have been like if he had chosen a military career. Sadly, his military service records were destroyed in the National Personnel Records fire in 1973. Nothing remains.

Ray returned to Davenport, secured employment at Alcoa, and met the love of his life, Margaret Mae Blumer. They were married September 4, 1954, in Long Grove Christian Church. Marge passed December 4, 2022, three months after their 68th wedding anniversary.

Ray had a variety of interests: fishing, camping, shooting (he was a certified pistol and rifle instructor), and antiquing, but his focus was to provide for his family. He retired from Alcoa in 1993 as a truck repair mechanic and joined his wife in the antique business. They closed shop in 2000 and spent the remainder of their years enjoying family.

Diana, Ray’s oldest daughter, sends her dad off with this farewell:

My Daddy. My Hero.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a hero as “a person admired for achievements and noble qualities; one who shows great courage”.

Dad, you were and always will be my hero.

When I was one year old, you took me to an airfield to show me the airplanes. You held me and pointed to the propellers. I can just imagine you explaining the inner workings of the plane’s engine! You were a hero to me then.

When I was six, you took me to the dentist. He said it wasn’t going to hurt so don’t bite him. It hurt, and I bit him. You didn’t scold me. You just held my hand. You were my hero then.

You taught me to roller skate, ice skate, and bike ride. When I fell, you taught me to get back up. You were my hero then.

You were my date for Father/Daughter Date Night. I was so proud of you, dressed in your Sunday suit. We ate mom’s chicken and potato salad. Then we danced on the gym floor. You were my hero then.

You took us camping to all corners of the US. Naturally, for my 12th birthday, I chose a camping trip to Timberlake for my gift. Two days before my birthday, I ran barefoot in the cornfield and stepped on broken glass. I ran home. You scooped me up, washed my foot, and carried me into the ER for stitches. You didn’t scold me. You rented wooden hospital crutches and took me camping. You were my hero then.

You were my hero when you carried my kids around your house, showing them your cuckoo clocks and airplanes. I think you were explaining the inner workings of the clocks to those toddlers!

Oh, dad. You were my hero when my first husband, Kirk, died. At his funeral service, you held my hand, and you cried.

You, a Republican, and me, a Democrat—how we could argue German nose to German nose! But last year, you told me you could respect that I was a Democrat and you loved me anyway. You were my hero then.

Last summer, you told me how blessed I was that God sent Michael to be my husband and raise my kids. You told me how much you admire and love him. You were my hero then.

When your health failed, it came time for others to be your heroes. I and my family, Gail and her family, took over your care. We learned how to be heroes from you, dad. I won’t say goodbye, but I will send you with what my daughter Ashley always said to you: “See ya later!”

Raymond Edward Dau passed from this life to his eternal life on May 20, 2024. He is survived by three daughters: Diana (Michael) Smith, Gail Troutwine, and Peggy (Kevin) Rounds, grandchildren Todd Smith, Erin (Corey Johnson) Smith, Ashley Hollis, Christian and Derek Troutwine, and Joshua Rounds. His great grandchildren are Lucas Smith, Jacob Johnson, Aiden Smith, Trystan Hollis, and Adelynn Troutwine. A sister, Sheila (Erv) Sindt, and brothers Verle (Sue) Dau, and Michael (Chris) Dau also survive. Ray leaves behind special friends: Mark, Heath, Dave, Mike, Brad, Diane, Kelly, Tim, and Molly, his canine buddy. In addition to his wife, preceding Ray in death were his mother and father, a brother, Cletus, and son-in-law Kirk.