David "Skipper" Lee Rau, Sr.

David Lee "Skipper" Rau, Sr, of Wellsville, PA, passed peacefully to his heavenly home on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. He was surrounded by his loving family.

   Dave was born January 28, 1934 to Moreau Leon Rau and Ruth Kennedy Rau in South Philadelphia and was raised in Geigertown.  In July of 1952, after graduating from Carnavon Township High, he joined the USAF to serve our country dutifully; he served 4 years. In 1954, while still in the service, he married the love of his life, Betty Fasbenner, and they had four children.  Dave was always a family man and prioritized his family above everything else.  He graduated from Messiah University and resided in PA most of his life.

   After 20 years of working at the Mechanicsburg Navy Depot, Dave retired as Director of MISIL (Management Information System International Logistics and FMSO (Fleet Material Support Office)  He was at various times President of the UNIVAC Computer Users International, RCA Users Union International and various Regional Users Organizations.  He was Director of Data Processing for the state of Pennsylvania under Governors Shaeffer and Shapp.  While at the State of PA, he created a completely new Bureau called the Bureau of Management Information that all branches of the state would use. During his tenure working for the federal and state government, he was awarded numerous times for “excellence in service” 

   In addition to his professional career, for many years Dave found joy serving the Lord as Pastor. Without a church of his own, every weekend he and his family would pack up their car and drive to wherever he was preaching. His commitment to serving the Lord was always deep in his heart.  After retiring, he even pastored his deceased in-laws church in Chesapeake City, MD area and for 3 years, he and Betty went door to door inviting families to come and join their congregation. During his life, he also developed a deep love for the Navajo Indians and spent time in New Mexico ministering to the people and worked as a handy man.

   Skipper, a nickname he earned when he and Betty started boating, had a particular passion for the Chesapeake Bay. For over thirty years he and Betty, their kids, extended family members and friends enjoyed fishing, crabbing and just being on the water. Needless to say, he baited many hooks for many people! Every year when winter arrived, he could often be heard saying “Come on April!” because that’s when boating season started.  In addition to boating, he loved to garden and shared the vegetables with neighbors and the church congregation. He was an avid reader. His favorite subject was the Civil War, and he read many books and watched numerous DVDs that centered on that part of our nation's history. Jeopardy was no challenge for him. 99% of the time, he knew the answers and his family would marvel at his vast knowledge on any subject, realizing he would have won if he'd actually be playing. He also was a crossword puzzle expert, always writing with pen, and at times would complete five a day from the daily papers. 

   Moreover, Skipper was a great orator; he not only preached, but he traveled to conferences often and addressed hundreds of people at a time as part of his career. He held a deep love for the written word and was a gifted writer who often wrote lengthy letters to loved ones. In his spare time he even wrote poetry. He also played several instruments and naturally loved Christian music, especially The Couriers and Gaithers. He taught home school subjects for his grandchildren and coached little league baseball. His life of service touched others in so many ways, too many, in fact, to list!

   Anyone who knew Dave/Skipper, knew that he was the most loving father and husband a family could ask for. Skipper was predeceased by his father Moreau Leon Rau and mother Ruth Kennedy Rau.  He is survived by his wife, Betty Rau; four children, Donna Rau, Brenda Baker (Miles), Dawn Goodling (Keith) & David Rau, Jr. (Michelle); ten grandchildren, six great grandchildren; two brothers, Moreau (Raudy) Rau, (Mary Ann) William (Bill) Rau, (Nancy) and countless loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

     Visitation will be June 10th, 10:00 am, followed by a service at 11:00am and a luncheon at 12:00pm All will be held at Hope Grace Church, 110 Old York Road, Dillsburg PA 17019.  Additionally, a special military honors service will held on June 14th at 2:00pm at Fort Indiantown Gap in Lebanon, PA.

   In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Navajo BIC, 240 Hwy 57 Bloomfield, NM 87413 website: navajobic.org

  We thank you for your prayers and love.