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Richard A. "Rich" Rauch, 86, of Altoona, passed away Sunday morning at UPMC Altoona. He was born in Altoona, the son of the late Alois and Marcella J. (Poeschl) Rauch.
Rich married Patricia L. McCoy on May 27, 1961, at St. Mark's Catholic Church.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years; three daughters: Crista L. Bobb (Mark), Lisa M. Rhoa (Brian) and Linda J. Berkland (Curtis, deceased); six grandchildren: Allan Bobb (Diana), Morgan Heffernan (Nicholas), Kasey Edmiston (William), Curtis Rhoa (Kathleen), Haley Berkland (Zachary) and Sara Berkland; and five great-grandchildren: Palmer and Lucas Radan, Daniel Bobb, Cleo Edmiston and Louis Rhoa.
Rich was preceded in death by a sister, Marlene Rauch.
He was a 1957 graduate of Altoona High School and served our country with the 11th Airborne Division of the U.S. Army.
Rich retired from Conrail after 36 years as District Claims Agent.
He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Lakemont.
Rich was a lifetime member of the Unter Uns, Bavarian Aid Society, Swiss Club, Brush Mountain Sportsmen's Club and the VFW.
Rich enjoyed both golfing and bowling, proudly achieving impressive scores of 299 and 300 in the latter. Beyond his general love for sports, he was a dedicated fan and longtime supporter of Penn State Nittany Lions football, holding season tickets for many decades.
Friends will be received from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at The Stevens Mortuary Inc., 1421 Eighth Ave., Altoona.
A funeral Mass will follow at noon Saturday at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 309 Lotz Ave., Lakemont, with Father Brian Norris, celebrant. Committal with military honors will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery.
The family requests that contributions be made in Rich's memory to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 862 Carnegie, PA 15106 (cancer.org/givehope); or American Heart Association, 501 Howard Ave., Ste. D101, Altoona, PA 16601 (www2.heart.org).
Condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook page.