Morton David Rau

1941 - 2022

Morton David Rau, age 81, of Rochester, Minnesota died peacefully on July 31 at Mayo St. Mary's Hospital after a long illness. Mort was born in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1941 and grew up there. He attended Tulane University where he obtained his engineering degree in Chemical Engineering in 1962. Mort then went on to serve over 20 years in the U.S. Navy where he primarily served in the submarine service. In 1975, he graduated from the Naval Post Graduate School in Fort Ord, California with a Masters in Information Management. He retired from the Navy in 1982 at the rank of Lieutenant Commander. Mort then proceeded to work in industry where he supported the Naval Space and Warfare Systems Command and the Oceanographer of the Navy. He finally fully retired in 2010 from Computer Sciences Corporation. Following an itch to travel developed while in the Navy, in retirement he and his wife Anita traveled the world. Together they were able to visit all 7 continents as well as travel the Northwest Passage by ship. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Anita, son Nathan (Elizabeth) of Rochester, MN, his brother Jack (Annette) Rau of Atlanta GA, and his two granddaughters Alexis and Aviella Rau of Rochester, MN as well as many nieces and nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Elias and Esther and his granddaughter Olivia. The family is extremely grateful to the staff at Mayo Hospice Services for the support that they provided in the final weeks. A graveside burial service will be held 2 pm Tuesday, August 9, 2022 at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, Iowa. The graveside service will be available via zoom. Email zoom4@hodroffepstein.com for the link. There will be a brief Shiva at his niece's home at 4005 138th St. in Urbandale, IA following the burial. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to either the IPF Foundation www.ipffoundation.org or the Les Turner ALS Foundation www.lesturnerals.org. Hodroff-Epstein, 612-871-1234, www.hodroffepstein.com.