Rau, Robert
1941 - 2021
Robert Carson
Rau, M.D., died with family by his side on December 10, 2021. While Parkinson’s
Disease, Lewy Body dementia, and COVID-19 may have precipitated and hastened his passing, Bob most certainly would not want to be remembered for any of that. He was a caring, vibrant, incredibly intelligent person with a quick wit and a marked sense of humor. Bob was born to the late Arthur and
Ruth Rau on September 29, 1941, in Portsmouth,
Ohio, where he enjoyed a self-proclaimed “perfect childhood.” Growing up in small town America in the 1940’s and 1950’s agreed with him and provided the foundation for a full and meaningful life. He graduated from Portsmouth
High School in 1959, and while there he met the love of his life, Sara Reilly. Bob left the loving surroundings of Portsmouth and attended college at Ohio
Wesleyan University. He was a member of Delta Tau
Delta fraternity and enjoyed regaling family and friends with many stories of his time as a Delt in college.
After his graduation in 1963, Bob and Sara were married in August of that year. They then immediately moved to Cincinnati so that
Bob could attend medical school at the University of
Cincinnati. He graduated at the top of his class and began specializing in the field of dermatology. Bob spent the first year after medical school as an intern in Atlanta, Georgia at Grady
Memorial Hospital. In 1968, Bob was then drafted to serve in the United
States Army to support the nation’s Vietnam War effort. He packed up his wife and two small children and service. He was stationed in Landstuhl, Germany, and his young family enjoyed living in military housing with other American families. Bob was the Head of
Preventative Medicine at the Landstuhl Army Medical
Center and used his ingenuity to serve the American troops. His rank of Major was hard earned. After four years of service, he returned home to the United
States with his family in 1972. He served a lengthy commitment without putting his feet on American soil, but he did so happily to serve his country. When he returned to the United
States, Bob completed his dermatology residency in
Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan. He then went on to enjoy 38 years of private practice in Columbus,
Ohio. When Robert C.
Rau, M.D. Inc. opened its office in the medical building at Riverside Methodist
Hospital, Bob was one of only six dermatologists in Columbus. As the city grew, Bob became one of the most respected experts in his field. He co-founded and regularly volunteered at the Columbus
Free Clinic, providing free specialized health care services to those most in need. His patients adored him, and he adored them.
Bob welcomed and trained many residents in his office throughout the years. One of his favorite parts of his career in the Riverside
Hospital community was spending breakfast and lunch in the doctor’s dining room. He was a fixture there for decades and, after retirement, he missed those interactions tremendously. Bob was immensely proud of his grandchildren, sharing with them his varied interests, from live opera to Cleveland Indians baseball, and everything in between. Nothing made him happier than enjoying family vacations, get-togethers and parties. Bob spent his free time skiing every winter, traveling to many of the world’s most notable ski resorts. He also played tennis and platform tennis throughout his adulthood at Scioto
Country Club. Bob was a member of Grand Council
Royal and Select Masons of Ohio Columbus Council 8, Mt. Vernon Commandery
#1 Knights Templar,
Past Thrice Potent Master of the Scottish Rite Valley of Columbus, Knight of
Constantine, Knights of the
York Cross of Honour, and an Honorary 33rd Degree
Mason. Bob is survived by his doting and admiring wife of 58 years, Sara.
She cared for him tirelessly in his final years, fully devoting herself to Bob’s care in every way possible. He is also survived by son, Robert (Carolyn) and their children, Carson and
Graham; daughter, Amy (Joseph) Sugar and their children, Sara Alice (fiancé
Wyatt) and Sophia; brother,
William (Carolyn). Condolences
may be sent to the family at www.schoedinger. com. The family wishes to express their appreciation to Drs. David Hinkle and
Scott Johnson for their unparalleled kindness and expertise. Donations in his memory can be made to the Riverside Methodist
Hospital Medical Education
Fund, https://foundation. ohiohealth.com; or the
Parkinson’s Foundation
Great Lakes Chapter, Attn:
Donor Services, 200 SE 1st
Street, Suite 800, Miami,
FL 33131. The family will celebrate Bob’s life at a later date in 2022. Arrangements