Donald E. Rau

        Donald Edward Rau, aged 86, passed away at home on Saturday, October 10, 2015 surrounded by love. Don was born on April 3, 1929 to Marguerite and John Rau. Just as his mother had been before him, he was born on his grandparents' farm near Devil's Lake in Baraboo.He was baptized and then later confirmed at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baraboo. He attended St. John's School from first through eighth grades. He graduated from Baraboo High School in June 1946. Don was employed during the summers of 1943 through 1946 at the South Shore Lodge at Devil's Lake.With his father's written permission (as he was underage), he enlisted in the Army of the United States in September 1946. He served in Company I of the 27th Infantry Regiment (nicknamed the "Wolfhounds") of the 25th Infantry Division ("Tropic Lightning"), which included a tour of duty in Japan. He was honorably discharged in February 1948.Don worked as an administrative assistant to the commanding officer and the administrative officer at Badger Ordnance Works in Baraboo before joining the Foreign Service where he represented the U.S. as the Clerk of the Consulate in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He temporarily resigned from the Foreign Service in order to enroll at the University of Florida where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations in June 1958. In June 1957, he proposed to his girlfriend, Martha Gibbons, also of Baraboo, whom he'd met the old fashioned way (in a bar), and the two were married on September 8, 1957, at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baraboo. After graduation Don rejoined the Foreign Service and as a 32-year Foreign Service Officer, Don represented the U.S. overseas in Colombo, Sri Lanka; Chennai, India; Berne, Switzerland; Kathmandu, Nepal; Hong Kong; and Canberra, Australia.Don retired with Martha to Salinas, California where he enjoyed traveling, drinking cheap coffee, and writing essays and true tales.Survivors include his wife, Martha of Salinas, California; children, Gail (William) Racherbaumer and Jeffrey (Laura) Rau; siblings, Dorothy Pfhistner and Katherine "Totsie" Jackson; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Lynn Rau; and siblings, Robert "Bud" Rau, John "Jack" Rau, Marilyn Cady, and Harold "Butch" (Judy) Rau.The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the Hospice of the Central Coast, his wonderful caregivers, and especially Adriana who brought much joy into his life.Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, October 19, 2015 at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baraboo, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, Don would have preferred donations to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) or St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church. The Redlin Funeral Home is assisting the family.