-------- Original Message -------- Subject: [GV] Edwin C. Rau From: "R Benson" <rmbmlb@attbi.com> Date: Mon, June 3, 2002 6:55 pm To: GER-VOLGA-L@rootsweb.com Dear Friends, A dear brother and friend of the Germans from Russia, Edwin C. Rau, passed away Saturday, 1 June 2002. Ed Rau was foremost a devoted husband and father. He was as well a defender of our great democracies serving in the United States Army Air Force during World War II. Ed entered the service immediately upon the United States entry into the war in 1941. He served initially as a belly gunner in a bomber and later as an enlisted pilot flying missions over enemy occupied lands in the Southern and Western Pacific theatres. Ed remained in the service and retired as a Major in the United States Air Force. Ed married Hilda M Kaneg, on October 15, 1954. After nearly 43 years of marriage, Hilda passed away on 28 June 1997. Ed found renewed love and devotion again and he and Jeanne were united in marriage. On Sunday Jeane released the following information regarding services for Ed: "Ed Rau has gone to be with the Lord 3:00 p.m., 1 June 2002. Funeral will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, 7 June 2002. Lisle Funeral Home 1605 'L' St. Memorials can be sent to Legion Post 509 or AHSGR or the American Cancer Society." Ed leaves his wife Jeanne, sons Edwin C. Rau II and Mark F. Rau of Fresno California and daughter Lynette K. (Rau) Edwards of Clovis California. Ed served his fellow Germans from Russia in many ways. He joined AHSGR in 1977 and worked with many others to acquire our Central California Valley Chapter Museum and Library in Fresno, California. After its acquisition Ed worked diligently with the many other volunteers to convert the facility for Museum and Library use. Ed also served the Central Valley Chapter in many other ways including serving as President in 1985 and 1986. Ed was a leader in the effort to extend regional representation on the AHSGR Board of Directors. He was elected to the AHSGR Board of Directors for the maximum two consecutive three year terms, from 1990 to 1996 and he served on the AHSGR International Foundation Board of Trustees from 1998 to 2001. Ed also served as a delegate to the California District Council of AHSGR Chapters and served as Vice President, and Parliamentarian. Ed was a stickler for adhering to the rules and held the feet of those who did not to the fire. Please join Ed's many friends in prayer with the assurance of salvation through our Lord, Jesus Christ. Robert M. Benson