Bruce Rauscher

Bruce Rauscher, 78, of Lincoln, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Bryan Hospital as a result of heat stroke complications. He was born on September 27, 1947, in Lincoln, to Harold and Melva Rauscher.

Bruce grew up in Lincoln attending Randolph Elementary, Lefler Junior High, and Lincoln High School. He went on to attend the University of Nebraska–Lincoln before graduating from the UNMC College of Dentistry. In high school, Bruce played guitar and was part of a band — a lifelong love of music that stayed with him. He was also, by his own family's account, remarkably lucky, seeming to win nearly every raffle he ever entered, including a car and a trip to Europe.

From 1973 to 1975, Bruce served his country in the United States Army, stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey. After his service, he returned home to Lincoln, where he opened a private dental practice in 1975, caring for patients until his retirement in 2013. He also served as a part-time instructor at the UNMC College of Dentistry, Restorative Department — a role that came with the added perk of access to Nebraska football tickets. Bruce volunteered his time teaching dental health to elementary school children and was a proud member of the American Dental Association, Downtown Athletic Club, Christ United Methodist Church, the Corvette Club of Nebraska and the National Corvette Restorers Society.

Bruce married the love of his life, Ann Wall, and the two shared 55 years of marriage together. Those who knew Bruce remember him as kind, sharp-witted, and possessing an extraordinary memory — he could recall dates, times, and details from decades past with striking precision. He never met a Corvette he didn't love, and he spent countless hours tinkering, fixing, restoring, and collecting — watches, clocks, model cars, and other nostalgic treasures filled his world. But his favorite projects were always the ones for his grandchildren: lovingly rehabbing playhouses, pedal cars, wagons, and coaster cars for them to enjoy. Acts of service were simply how Bruce showed love, and his family and friends felt it in everything he built and fixed for them.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Ann Rauscher, of Lincoln; his children, John Rauscher, Kristin (Dan) Viall, and Matthew (Katie) Rauscher; his five grandchildren, Magnolia and Samuel (children of John), Livia and Brooklyn (children of Kristin), and Jack (son of Matthew); and his brother, Jon (Cathy Duke Gilmore) Rauscher; niece, Elena Rauscher (Cesar Rafael, Noah, and Myla), nephew; Evan Gilmore (Morgan Rutter); and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Melva Rauscher.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to the staff at Bryan Hospital for their kindness and exceptional care of Bruce, with special gratitude to Dr. Matt Maslonka, and Dr. Andy Moellering and Kendra Piening with the Palliative Care Team.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, August 29, 10:00 a.m. with funeral services starting at 11:00 (Christ United Methodist Church; 4530 A Street, Lincoln, NE 68510). Burial will take place at 2:00 p.m. at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery (6700 S. 14th St., Lincoln, NE 68512). In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to:

• The Nebraska Corvette Association’s Southeast Community College Scholarship Fund. Checks: payable to NCA c/o Chad Lowery (memo: SECC Scholarship fund); 7221 S. 96th Ct., Lincoln, NE 68526. Venmo: @chad-lowery-16

• Parkinson’s Nebraska – Checks: payable to Parkinson’s Nebraska; PO Box 4191, Omaha, NE 68104

Bruce will be remembered for his generous heart, his love of Corvettes, all things nostalgia, the countless acts of care he showed his family and friends — one project at a time, and his dad jokes. Surely, he will be missed by all…but don’t call him Shirley…