Ronnie Rau Obituary

Ronnie L. Rau

Ronnie L. Rau, 73, of Tiffin, passed away Sunday, March 10, 2024, at Mercy Health – Tiffin Hospital.

Ron was born in Tiffin, April 25, 1950, to the late Vernon J. and Anita V. (Hersh) Rau. He married Sandra A. (Gernert) in Bloomville December 27, 1969, and she survives in Tiffin.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra Rau of Tiffin; a daughter, Erin (Jeremy) Reed of Tiffin; a granddaughter, Piper E. Reed of Tiffin; two brothers, Steven Rau of Tiffin and Richard Rau of Weyers Cave, Virginia; two sisters, Diana Brunthaver and Barbara (Robert) Reinhart both of Tiffin.

Ron retired from Honeywell in Fostoria and later worked for Bauman Auto Group. He was a member of the Fort Seneca Community Church and was a United States Army Veteran serving during Vietnam.

Ron graduated from Old Fort High School in 1968. That was the year he pitched the baseball team to the school's first State Championship. In 2018 that team was honored at the OHSAA Boys State Tournament as the 50 year team. Nine players, two coaches and their family and friends enjoyed a great day reminiscing again in Columbus.

Later at Old Fort he coached boys and girls junior high, junior varsity and varsity basketball. Also was the varsity softball coach for 10 years they had a very successful run. Many league titles and making it to regional's numerous times. The highlight was the 1997 team being runner-up at the State Championship. Ron was also chosen as MAL coach of the year six times and Division III coach of the year in 1998.

Ron volunteered in the community in many capacities. Coaching little league baseball and softball for 15 years, served as president of the Old Fort Little League, Old Fort Men's Ex-Hi's, and PM Gillmor Park all located in his hometown of Fort Seneca.

When Ron coached little league lots of kids saw their first major league baseball game with him. Vans and cars caravanned groups to the old Tiger stadium and Comerica Park. He was so proud that he was successful in persuading some of them to become Tiger fans, just as his uncle Bob did to him back in the 50's.

Ron always had an event or fundraiser planned from various sports bus trips and casino trips, park fests, Dance-On-The-Diamond, Bingo and golf outings. Ron was always raising money from 50/50 drawings or selling raffle tickets. I'm sure people were dodging him at times knowing he was always carrying tickets to sell for something. There was even a raffle to benefit the Humane Society at his daughter's wedding reception.

Ron played on many local men's softball and basketball teams in his younger days. Later he became an avid golfer and still running two golf leagues. He was proud of his hole in one back in 1993! Then when the weather gets too cold they would meet up for euchre on Thursday nights at the Ex-Hi building.

As the old saying goes "He never knew a stranger!" He touched many lives along his way, had a quality to make people believe in themselves. Ron showed us all an example of being kind and helpful to everyone he was around. As an example, in his recent retirement years he drove as a "gopher" for the Bauman Auto Group. He spread a lot of love as he drove between dealerships, the bank and government offices he stopped at. He loved that job and all the employees and customers he greeted along the way.

Finally, Ron passed the love of softball on to his daughter, so proud of the successful high school pitcher she became, and now it's passed on to his granddaughter. The afternoon after Grandpa passed on, Piper played in a fast pitch tournament with her travel team, Magic SGS. The team won that tournament and she received the MVP award for that game. I think Grandpa might have had something to do with it!

Ron's Celebration of Life will be 5-9 p.m. Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Camden Fall in Tiffin. Please feel free to wear your favorite Old Fort attire. As his former coach and athletic director, John Bruggemier, said way back when, "Ron bleeds brown & gold!" There will be a private burial at a later date. The Engle-Shook Funeral Home & Crematory in Tiffin is assisting the family with their arrangements.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Iacob and his staff, the staff at Mercy Health – Tiffin Hospital and all his "adopted" kids who kept in touch and raised his spirits over the last two years.

Memorials may be made to PM Gillmor Community Park or Fort Seneca Community Church.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.shookfamilyfh.com.