• Memorial Visitation: Thursday, July 9, 2026 from 8:30 am – 10 am at OLD SAINT MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH (844 North Broadway, Milwaukee)

• Mass of Christian Burial: Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 10 am at OLD SAINT MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH (844 North Broadway, Milwaukee)

Raymond J. Rausch

Passed away peacefully at home on June 22, 2026, at the age of 87. Ray was kind and generous, a devoted husband, and an amazing father and grandfather.  

Born to Matthew and Ann Rausch in Milwaukee, Ray attended Marquette University High School and Marquette University for both his undergraduate and law degrees.  It was at Marquette where he met his wife of almost sixty years, Holly Haag.  After law school, he joined the United States Air Force and served four years active duty in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps before entering the reserves where he was eventually attached to the Wisconsin Air National Guard’s 128th Air Refueling Wing.  He was activated during Operation Desert Storm and retired thereafter at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He founded a law firm with several colleagues and practiced in the areas of real estate, corporate entity work, labor and employment law. While practicing law, he taught business law successively at Concordia College, Mount Mary University, Marquette University, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM).  Ray had a strong work ethic and through most of his life held no less than three jobs.

In 2002, Ray retired from his law practice and became a full-time lecturer at UWM. He was devoted to higher education and to his students, winning several Gold Star teaching awards. He particularly enjoyed teaching in the Executive MBA program. He also served as the faculty advisor for Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional co-ed business fraternity, and won an “Outstanding Student Organization Advisor” award for his service. He retired from UWM in 2015 and earned Emeritus Status upon his retirement.

Ray was also an avid outdoorsman, a conservationist, a carpenter, an architect, a man of faith, and much more. A true Renaissance man, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, biking, running, preserving wildlife habitat, teaching law, attending plays at the Milwaukee Rep, listening to classical music, working on building projects, driving sports cars, riding motorcycles, sailing, and above all staying busy. He was generous with his time and knowledge. His advice came from a strong conviction to do what is right and ethical along with a healthy dose of love. He was a loyal friend to many and a loving brother to his sister Janyce.

In addition to being survived by his wife, Holly and sister, Janyce, Ray is survived by his children, Julie (Matthew) Rehmann, Carolyn (Michael) McLeod, Kathleen (Mark) Meskin, Monica (Juan Carlos) Camacho, Megan (Matthew) Healy, Daniel (Abigail) Rausch, and Matthew Rausch; his grandchildren, Eleanor and Greta Rehmann; Samuel and Grace McLeod; Maximilian, Molly, and Elise Meskin; Elliot Camacho; Rowan Healy; and Nicholas and Christopher Rausch; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at OLD SAINT MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 844 North Broadway, Milwaukee, on Thursday July 9 from 8:30 a.m until the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will follow the mass at 11:30 am at the Women’s Club of Wisconsin (813 E Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee).

Memorials to Kinship Community Food Center  https://kinshipmke.org/ or a charity of your choice are appreciated by the family.