Charles “Chuck” B. Rau

Berlin

Charles “Chuck” B. Rau was born On Aug. 10, 1949, in Baltimore, and passed away suddenly on Dec. 29, 2023.

His parents were Charles “Buck” and Mary Norma Rau. He grew up in Parkville with his parents, younger brother John and grandmother Lillian.

He loved playing games and sports of any kind but basketball was his favorite. He would continue playing and watching games and sports his entire life. He attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Elementary School and Parkville Junior and Senior high schools. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Baltimore.

Chuck had numerous jobs during high school and college and often shared many great stories about them. Upon college graduation he joined the U.S. Army Reserves and started a 34-year civilian career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers where he made many close friends. He took great pride in his work and was always ready for his next challenge. He had lots of anecdotes and great memories from his career.

Chuck and his wife of 52 years, Linda, married while he was still in college and built a wonderful life together. They had three sons to whom he was devoted. He loved every aspect of fatherhood, even mid-night feedings. He spent as much time as he could with his sons, playing, coaching and watching all their games and activities. He was an active volunteer, coaching them in soccer, a game he learned for them, baseball and basketball.

After they were grown and began having their own children he knew it was time to retire and spend more time with his family. His retirement was filled with softball, basketball, poker, boating, crabbing, playing with his dog Ginger, and spending time with his family. He was completely in love with and proud of each of his seven grandchildren.

Chuck is survived by his loving wife Linda, children Greg (Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania), Brian (Pasadena) and Chuck Rau (Fredericksburg, Virginia); daughters-in-law Kate, Becky and Sarah Rau; and seven perfect grandchildren; Avery, Thomas, Morgan, Kayla, Lily-Ann, William and Autumn. He is also survived by his brother John and Edna Rau of Marion, South Carolina.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:30 a.m., Jan. 12, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 11211 Beauchamp Rd. in Berlin.