Edward Askew Rauscher

1921 - 2015

Edward Askew Rauscher

Edward Askew Rauscher was born in Erin, Tennessee on March 30th, 1921 to Louise Askew Rauscher and Edward Wesley Rauscher II. He passed away on August 13, 2015 at the age of 94 at his home in Seattle, Washington with his wife at his side.

Ed grew up in Memphis, Tennessee, spending summers at White Oak, the family home in middle Tennessee.

In 1942, Ed earned a B.A. from Vanderbilt University and then was commissioned into the Navy, where he served as a submarine officer during WW II. He participated in what probably was the most famous submarine action of the war, USS Parche's 1944 night attack on a Japanese convoy in the Luzon Strait. Edward's Captain received the Medal of Honor for that action.

After Ed's honorable discharge from the Navy at the end of the war, he earned a law degree at Yale Law School, while teaching economics in the undergraduate school. After graduation, Ed taught law at Tulane University and later moved to Los Angeles, where he worked for the O'Melveny & Myers law firm.

After moving to Seattle with his first wife, Barbara Greenwood Rauscher and their daughter Pamela, Ed joined the law firm of Weter, Roberts & Shefelman, where he later became a partner. Ed soon found that his real interest was in real estate law and development. He went on to found his own firm, which specialized in real estate, tax and estate planning. Ed acquired Lake Bellevue and Midlakes Shopping Center in the late 1950's, ultimately developing both properties, as well as other commercial real estate projects.

Ed was very active in the Seattle community. He served on a number of boards, including the Bellevue Planning Commission, Seattle METRO Commission, The Seattle Opera and the Salvation Army. Ed was also a founding member and past President of PONCHO and a Co-Founder and first President of The Corporate Council of the Arts, now called the ArtsFund.

Ed was a past member of the Rainier Club, the Washington Athletic Club and The Bellevue Club. Until his death, Ed was a member of the Seattle Golf Club, the Seattle Tennis Club and Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California, where he spent many happy winters.

Ed was a master story teller, whose favorite venue for sharing his wonderful sense of humor was gin rummy. He played with friends and family, including his children, grandchildren and great grandchild. Everyone knew when Ed had a winning gin hand, because just before he laid down the cards, Ed would say, "And what do they make in Peoria?"

Ed loved to play tennis and golf with his friends and family. To their great delight, Ed taught all of his grandchildren and great grandchild how to drive a golf cart when they visited him in Rancho Mirage.

Edward Askew Rauscher is survived by his wife of 38 years, Vicki Macaulay Rauscher and his daughters Pamela Rauscher Krug (husband Paul Edward Krug) and Louise Rauscher Mooney. He also is survived by his grandchildren: Jennifer Krug Worthington, Paul Edward Krug, Jr., Katherine Louise Krug, James Pierce Mooney IV and by his great granddaughter Alexandra Marie Worthington. He was predeceased by his first wife, Barbara Rauscher Wise and his son-in-law James Pierce Mooney III.

Ed's family is forever grateful to Curt Webb for his loving, dedicated care of Ed during the last years of his life.

There will be a Memorial Service at The Florence Henry Memorial Chapel in The Highlands on Saturday, August 29th @ 3:00 P.M., followed by a reception honoring the life of Edward Askew Rauscher at The Seattle Golf Club from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrances be made to the ArtsFund or a charity of choice.