Christian W Rau

The family, which then included sisters Annelie and Liz, emigrated to the United States in 1948 and lived with Caroline’s parents for a few years.

In 1950 the Raus settled in Plainview, New York and Chris went to Nassau Christian School. He transitioned to Trinity Lutheran School in 7th & 8th grade excelling in athletics and won the Paul Judd Christian Citizenship award. Chris attended Concordia Bronxville Prep School for high school and continued his excellence in athletics and academics.

After graduation he moved on to Concordia Teachers’ College in River Forest, Illinois. He played four sports – football, basketball, tennis and baseball – in college becoming team captain In football, basketball and baseball. Later in life he would be inducted into the athletic hall of fame at Concordia both as an individual and as part of an award winning basketball team.

While he was at River Forest he received two invitations to Sadie Hawkins and fortunately chose to go with Maggie Knight. Three years later they were married at Grace Lutheran Church in St. Petersburg. The new couple settled in Hicksville, New York and Chris taught 8th grade at Trinity Lutheran where he had attended middle school.

In 1974 Chris and Maggie received a call to serve at Grace Lutheran School in St. Petersburg so they took their three children – Sharon (1967), Gayle (1969) and Brian (1970) – and moved to the Shore Acres area. Chris began the athletic program at Grace and was in integral part of the formation of the Central Florida Lutheran Athletic Association. He taught 8th grade most of his time at Grace, transitioning to physical education toward the end of his career.

Over the years he served on the Florida-Georgia District Board of Directors and Board of Stewardship as well as the chair for the District Educators’ Conference. He has been an elder at Grace for many decades. His love of stewardship had him serving as chair of that congregation committee as well.

He retired in 2004 after 38 years of teaching and coaching. He spent the next 20+ years traveling and enjoying his eight grandchildren. Chris and Maggie would have been married 60 years in 2026. He was a dedicated, faithful family man who loved the Lord.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the Grace Lutheran School Athletic Fund.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, located at 4301 16th St N, St. Petersburg, FL, 33703, on October 11, 2025, starting at 11:00 am.