Don Rauch quietly and peacefully passed from this life to the next on February 27, 2024, in Williams, CA. Born Donald Lee Rauch on August 7, 1943, in Los Angeles, CA, he was the son of Catherine Savage Rauch and Arthur Frederick Rauch. Don was preceded in death by his older brothers, Fred and Norman Rauch, his older sister Ellen Lopshire, and his grandson, Alexander Savage Rauch (son of Stephen and Cheryl). He is survived by his younger brother Victor Rauch and three sons and six grandchildren: Stephen, married to Cheryl Ford, and their three children Nicholas, Catherine and Christian, David, married to Julie Cramblet, and their two children Emily and Jack, and Jesse, married to Claudia Holwill, and his daughter Brittani.
Don was a mechanical whiz. He could design, build, wire and/or fix anything. (Two of his sons inherited his gifts. The other one calls one of those two when he has a problem.) Don loved using his talents to help people. Any people. All people. Friends, neighbors (friends who lived nearby), customers (friends who paid for his help), strangers (new friends), whoever. Back when cars were less reliable Don was . . . mmmm . . . let’s say “not perfect” about being on time because pulling over to help someone on the side of the road took precedence. He was known to occasionally exceed the posted speed limit, perhaps to not be quite as late, but more likely because he loved cars and especially when they were being driven to their limits.
Don had a variety of jobs over time. But was most happy when he was working for himself (people who didn’t have to try to be his boss were also happy). Over the years there were numerous enterprises – Rauch Auto Wrecking, Don Rauch Trucking (he LOVED his Peterbilt) and various iterations of Don Rauch Electric. Don could and would grind to get his customers what they needed and keep them up and running. (Two of his sons inherited this trait, the other one is living his best life in a resort town.)
Don also had the gift of gab. Between that, his helpfulness and his broad skill set, he made friends easily. He spent most of his first 35 years in Poway, CA where he met his first wife, Marjorie Irvine Wahlsten, and where they began their family with Stephen and David. By the time he left he not only knew most of the people in that (then) small town, but most of them could tell some funny stories about him.
His next move was to Davis, CA with Dale Cyphert and their baby boy Jesse – and with Stephen and David in tow. A few years later Don moved to Colusa County with Jesse – and found his home and his people. People who worked with their hands, drank their domestic beer from a can, and put the interests of their friends and neighbors on par with or above their own. Don worked for many years running the boilers at the Colusa County Canning Co. tomato processing plant, while volunteering for the Williams Fire Department and generally becoming part of the community. Sometime later he relaunched Don Rauch Electric and Mechanical Services and counted most of the local community as his friends and clients.
His love of cars never stopped, with years helping his sons with their VW’s, supporting Nissan’s race cars, and then his Crosleys ranging from bare metal to show car.
The family gathered in Arbuckle last August to celebrate Don’s 80 th birthday. The festivities culminated with a night at Burgie’s (Google it, and then go!) Music was heard, beer was consumed (domestic, from the bottle, because he got fancy in his old age) and stories were told. The support and love from his community was obvious and special. Somehow through 80 years of life, multiple relationships, kids, jobs, towns, Don never changed. He was a foxhole guy to the end – and his people loved him for it.
A Celebration of Life will be held on March 23, 1-4pm at Granzella’s inn Williams, CA with ashes scattered later. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Williams Fire Department or Sutter Hospice.
The family gathered in Arbuckle last August to celebrate Don’s 80 th birthday. The festivities culminated with a night at Burgie’s (Google it, and then go!) Music was heard, beer was consumed (domestic, from the bottle, because he got fancy in his old age) and stories were told. The support and love from his community was obvious and special. Somehow through 80 years of life, multiple relationships, kids, jobs, towns, Don never changed. He was a foxhole guy to the end – and his people loved him for it.
A Celebration of Life will be held on March 23, 1-4pm at Granzella’s inn Williams, CA with ashes scattered later. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Williams Fire Department or Sutter Hospice.