Robert "Bob" Rauen

Robert "Bob" Rauen, age 89, of St. Paul, passed away peacefully at home on May 26, surrounded by his loving family.

Bob was born and raised in St. Paul. He attended St. Bernard's Catholic School and graduated from Washington Senior High School.

In 1958, he met the love of his life, Rosemarie, on a blind date arranged by his sister and brother-in-law, Marcie and Mike. On May 18, 1963, Bob and Rosemarie were married at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, beginning a partnership that would span more than six decades.

The couple first made their home near Rice Street before settling on St. Paul's East Side near Lake Phalen, where they raised their four children and built a lifetime of memories. After retirement, they built their dream home in a quiet corner of Maplewood. Bob enjoyed tending his gardens and watching the wildlife around the pond behind their home, except for the rabbits.

Family was at the center of Bob's life. He and Rosemarie treasured time with their children, taking annual summer vacations to Quadna Resort in Hill City, Minnesota, and embarking on a memorable road trip out West. Piled into a blue station wagon as a family of six, they spent weeks exploring the country, creating stories that would be retold for generations. Bob had a gift for turning ordinary moments into unforgettable adventures.

Summers also meant gathering with beloved extended family and friends at Bald Eagle Lake in White Bear Lake. The Fourth of July was one of Bob's favorite holidays. He enthusiastically organized volleyball tournaments, water balloon tosses, gunny sack races, and countless other activities, always complete with prizes and plenty of laughter.

In 1965, Bob began his career with the St. Paul Fire Department at Station 22. He was promoted to Captain in 1979 and joined the Captain's Pool, serving throughout the city before eventually finding his permanent home at Station 7 on Earl Street. Bob retired in 1998 after 33 years of dedicated service. Having chased fire trucks through the streets as a boy, he embraced the life of firefighting as a man. The firefighters he served alongside became like brothers.

Before his firefighting career, Bob tended bar for his future father-in-law at Guzzo's Bar and later at the Five Js. Never one to sit still, he continued bartending part-time at Kuby's Bar on Rice Street while serving with the fire department. During his time in the Captain’s Pool, he would often train new firefighters, and the trainees nicknamed him Captain Kuby! He was also known to wash a window or two along the way.

Bob was a devout Catholic whose faith guided his life. He spent countless hours volunteering at church and became known for perfecting the mashed potatoes served at funeral lunches. He was a master of the grill, and his shish kabobs were legendary among family and friends.

Bob loved sports. He faithfully followed the Twins, attended countless games, recitals, and activities for his grandchildren, and was an avid golfer with two holes-in-one to his credit. He loved a good game of bocce ball and played in several leagues over the years. His passion for the sport knew no season; he even built bocce courts in the snow to keep the games going during long Minnesota winters. Meticulous, organized, and always prepared, Bob took pride in everything he did.

Bob and Rosemarie enjoyed traveling together throughout their lives, visiting Europe, Jamaica, Mexico, Hawaii, and many destinations across the United States. Florida became a favorite destination, and after years of winter visits, they purchased a place of their own and enjoyed many happy seasons there together.

In 2015 Bob was diagnosed with lung cancer. With the assistance of a new immunotherapy treatment, the cancer went into remission, giving Bob more time with family and friends. Our family will be forever grateful to all the doctors and nurses through the years that made his cancer journey a little easier.

Bob will be remembered for his quick wit, warm smile, unmistakable style, generosity, unwavering dedication to family and friends, and remarkable ability to bring people together. Whether organizing games at the lake, tending the grill, sharing stories at the bar, or serving his community as a firefighter, he lived a life full of purpose, laughter, and love. He had a way of making everyone feel welcome and cared for and left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

He consistently put the needs of others before his own. In lovingly caring for his mother, tirelessly volunteering at church, or quietly slipping his adult children an envelope of cash. He embodied sacrificial love.

Above all, Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He took immense pride in his family and cherished every opportunity to spend time with them.

Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Frances Rauen, and his sister, Marcie Maurer. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Rosemarie Rauen (Guzzo); children Annette (David) Anderson, Keith (Barb) Rauen, Pamela (Clayton) Handt, and Diane (Dean) Jilek; fourteen beloved grandchildren: Alyssa, Haley, and Luke Anderson; Tyler (Emily) Michaels King; Jack (Alayna), Annabelle, Alexandra, and Amanda Handt; Nicholas (Amber) Rauen; Clare, Gemma, Basil, Cecilia, and Felicity Jilek; three treasured great-grandchildren: Veda, Nellie, and Malia Rauen; sister Marilyn (Bob) Weinmann; and many other beloved family members and friends.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 10, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. at Mueller Memorial, 835 Johnson Parkway, St. Paul. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, June 11, at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of St. Peter, 2600 Margaret Street N., North St. Paul, with visitation one hour prior. Reception and burial will follow.