Jack Delano Rausch

March 18, 1933 - November 15, 2013

Jack Delano Rausch, the best friend a person could have, passed away on November 15, 2013 at the age of 80 after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Born on March 18, 1933 in Dover, Ohio to William and Jospehine Rausch, Jack was the youngest of three children.

His life was filled with music. He begged the school band director to play the drums and was promised he could do so if he played the bassoon for one year, since the band director was short of bassoonists. He did so and thus began a long career of music making and teaching. He received his Bachelor of Music Education (bassoon) and Masters of Music (theory) from Ohio State University, performed in the famed Ohio State Marching Band (TBDBITL), served in the Air Force and performed in the 751st Air Force Band from 1953-57. He met his wife, Marlene, a violinist, while they both were members of the Florida Symphony. They were married in 1963 and started a lifetime of caring for each other and music making. He was Principal Bassoonist in the Florida Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, Santa Fe Opera, Phoenix Symphony and others. Jack joined the faculty of Arizona State University in 1964 and retired in 1996 as Associate Director of the School of Music and Professor Emeritus of Bassoon. His son Randall Todd was born in 1967 and joined the family's passion for music. Jack was the kind of person who always found the "good" in everyone, accepting all our talents and taught us all to be brave and honest with ourselves and each other.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marlene, son Randy, brother Doyle Rausch (Lois), nephew Doyle Eric (Columbus), nephews Bruce Archinal (Mary Ann) of Houston, Brent Archinal (JoAnne) of Flagstaff, brother-in-law Marion Archinal (Houston) and grand nephews Brian and Andrew Archinal. His sister Donna Mae Archinal is deceased.

Thank you to all the wonderful caregivers who helped him at Sierra Pointe and especially the staff at Silverado for giving such joy to Jack and family in the last days and showing us that love is greater than fear. Jack was a teacher to all who wished to learn even at Silverado. Hospice of the Valley gave immense comfort in his last days. His battle with Parkinson's turned to living with Parkinson's and Jack always wanted to write a book about his experiences with the title "Sunny Side Up". During his illness he never forgot at the end of the visits from family and friends to say "thank you for coming" and now it is our turn to say, "thank you for coming into our lives, Jack, you will be forever held dear to our hearts."

An interment service will be at 2 pm on December 6 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona with a celebration of life to be held at 3 pm at the family home. Family requests that any memorial gifts be made to Hospice of the Valley and the Parkinson's Association of Arizona.

Jack was a member of the marching band in 1952 and played baritone.