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Note: HI32195
Note: (Research):Obituary Norman F. Rau Bootbay Register e-Edition Posted: Monday, December 30, 2013 - 12:45pm
Norman Frederick Rau of Boothbay died on December 27, 2013 after a long and rewarding life.
He was born in Boston, Mass., on April 30, 1920, the son of Frederick E. and Helen W. (McCabe) Rau. He grew up outside of Boston, graduating from high school in Wellesley, Mass.
Norman moved to Boothbay after high school and tried his hand at farming. In 1940, he enlisted in the United States Army. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1942 and was sent to England, where he assumed command of the 1231st QM Co. AVN.
While in England he met his future wife, Joan Chapman, to whom he was married for 64 years. Once World War II ended, he was honorably discharged, but he remained in the Army Reserves and was promoted to Lt. Col. before retiring from the service. The Army was important to Norman; he believed it shaped the rest of his life.
Following the war, Norman attended the State Teachers College in Gorham and then took a teaching position in Massachusetts. He later left the education field to work as assistant town engineer for Wellesley, Mass. After several years, he was appointed superintendent of highways and parks, a position he held until his retirement in 1972.
Upon retirement, Norman returned to Boothbay where he designed and built his own home on the shores of Knickerbocker Lake, a place he loved, and where he, for many years, had spent vacations relaxing, hunting and fishing for brown trout. During retirement he enjoyed fishing, farming, raising and showing dairy goats, sheep, cattle, fancy pigeons and poultry. He and his wife Joan also operated an antique business. During his later years he developed a strong interest in genealogy and thoroughly researched the history of family members.
He was a member of the Masons, as well as many other civic and recreational organizations, including the Central Maine Bird Fanciers.
He is survived by his two sons, Karl F. Rau and wife Sharon of South China and Kirk T. Rau and wife Wendy of Hallowell. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Tory and wife Morgan, Cody and wife Amy, Sara and Hannah; and four great-grandchildren, Cadence, Carter, Sovie and Noah, all of whom he loved very much.
He was predeceased by his loving wife Joan (Chapman) Rau, their daughter Gillian, and his sister Marcella Parker.
A private burial will take place at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta.
Arrangements are by Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 1 Church Street, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Central Maine Bird Fanciers. He was an integral part of this Maine based poultry club for many years, exhibiting in all their sponsored shows. Donations can be sent to: CMBF, 1309 Dutch Neck Road, Waldoboro, ME 04672.
Memories, condolences, photos and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.khrfuneralhomes.com.
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