Obituary: William H. Rauckhorst

Dr. William H. Rauckhorst, age 85, professor emeritus at Miami University, died peacefully on Dec. 28 at The Knolls in Oxford, Ohio. 

The Oxford community and Miami University were a beloved home for Bill and his wife Elaine for four decades.

Born in Covington, Kentucky, Bill discovered his academic talents, love of baseball and music and passion for science at an early age. He played varsity baseball at Newport Catholic, excelled in the classroom and was valedictorian.

While in high school, Bill met Elaine at a canteen dance as she dazzled in a yellow dress. For his part, Bill was shy, charming, handsome and brilliant – not to mention a musician who played piano and accordion. After both graduated from Thomas More University, with Bill majoring in Physics and earning summa cum laude distinction, the couple married in 1964.

Bill embarked on a long and distinguished career in science, education and sustainability after earning his PhD in Physics from the University of Cincinnati in 1967. At Bellarmine University in Louisville, he helped build the physics department, serving as chair of the natural sciences division while in his 20s.

With their three daughters in tow, the couple moved to Springfield, Illinois, Washington, D.C. and Naperville, Illinois, enjoying adventures over the next two decades. Bill was an enthusiastic softball coach and swim team supporter who attended his daughters’ sporting events and cared deeply about his family.

Bill’s career mission stayed true during his experiences at the University of Illinois, at the Department of Energy under President Jimmy Carter and later at Argonne National Laboratory outside Chicago. He sought to inspire a world that cares about nature and the environment, just as he did.

In 1985, Bill landed his dream job at Miami University in Oxford, a beautiful university town filled with intelligent and interesting people and lots to do. It was their Midwest version of Camelot. 

Bill worked for 34 years at Miami, serving as dean of research and associate provost for scholarship and teaching. In addition, he taught energy and society, a course focused on

renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, nuclear and geothermal. Bill loved working with college students and took every evaluation to heart.

A devoted Catholic, Bill believed passionately that science and faith could co-exist. He and Elaine volunteered at St. Mary’s and helped with the youth ministry. 

He completed two century bike rides for MS, competed in golf, tennis and ping pong and was a sudoku devotee and lifelong Cincinnati Reds fan. He loved music – from bluegrass to the Beatles – and often played the piano with his family. Married for 55 years, Bill was a loving husband, a thoughtful father, an adoring grandfather, and a fun-loving cat dad to Cosby and Sparky.

He is preceded in death by his wife Elaine (Kroger) Rauckhorst, parents Herman and Edna, and brother James Rauckhorst. 

Bill is survived by daughters Cindy (Jon) Johanson, Jane (George) Corrigan and Julie (Patrick) Thomas; grandchildren Emily Johanson, Allison (Alex) Barker, Katie (Alex) Rangel, Dwyer and Rocky Corrigan, and Charlie and Teddy Thomas, as well as great-granddaughters Sylvia and Romy Rangel, and Emma and Avery Barker.

Although the last decade of Bill’s life was challenged by Alzheimer’s disease, the family is forever grateful for the incredible care and kindness of many friends and the teams at The Knolls of Oxford and Hospice of Cincinnati, who loved and cared for him.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, Jan. 16th at St. Mary Catholic Church, 111 E. High Street, Oxford, Ohio 45056 with visitation at 10 a.m., eulogy at 10:45 a.m. and service at 11 a.m., followed by a reception in the St. Mary Parish Center.

This obituary was originally published by Paul R. Young Funeral Home and has been edited for length.