NICHOLAS JAMESON RAUCH

Former Anchorage resident Nicholas J. Rauch, 94, died Feb. 9, 2004, at Sunrise Manor Care Home in Wasilla.

Mr. Rauch was born Oct. 28, 1909, in Tehachapi, Calif., to Nick Pucar and Stana Boybosa, being later adopted by John Rauch.

He attended public schools in Anaheim and North Hollywood California form 1915-1932. He later attended Fullerton Jr. College and the California Radio Institute. He served in the U. S. Marine Corp in Shanghai, China, and Manila.

He first came to Anchorage in 1944 with the Merchant Marines and was in Dutch Harbor when it was bombed by the Japanese. He resided in Alaska until 1950. He lived from 1950 to 1955 in the Seattle, Wash., area moving back to Anchorage in 1955. He had resided in Anchorage and surrounding areas, including Homer and Kodiak, for the last 49 years.

In the 1940s he was employed with Alaska Radio Supply and Anchorage Radio Appliance. While residing in Seattle he was employed with Intervox Corp., Marine Radio Labs and Northwest Instrument Company. In 1955 he was employed with Morrison-Knudsen Co., working on the White Alice Project as a technical adviser and radio supervisor until the White Alice stations were completed. In 1958 he moved from Morrison-Knudsen to Federal Electric serving as a technician at Kalakaket Creek. He later worked for RCA Communications in Anchorage until his retirement at age 55. After retirement he owned and operated Suburban Sea and Ski and in 1985 began working for Henry's Services in Anchorage. In 1987 he co-owned with Dave O'Conner, Henry's Services where he worked until 1997-98 when he was forced to retire due to his debilitation from Alzheimer's disease.

He enjoyed amateur photography and boating, making several boat trips from the Lower 48 across the Gulf of Alaska to Valdez, Whittier, Homer, Seward and Juneau and traveled the Yukon River in an Amphi-Car.

"He was a kind man, gentle in spirit, a wonderful father and lived each of his 94 years to the fullest," his family said.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law Kathy and Gary Casagranda of Palmer; son Philip Rauch of Anchorage; grandchildren Nicole McKenzie and Mandy Phillips of Anchorage; and great-grandchildren Gage and Elijah McKenzie of Anchorage.

Mr. Rauch was preceded in death by his wife Ethel VanHook Carroll Rauch; and his brother Philip J. Rauch.

Donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Resource Agency, P.O. Box 4406, Palmer, AK 99645.

Per his request, his ashes will be scattered over Prince William Sound.

Arrangements were made by Kehl's Palmer Mortuary and Kehl's Forest Lawn and Crematory in Anchorage.