“Butch” Virgil Wayne Rauch

07/25/1947 — 07/12/2015

From Benton City, Washington | Born in Baker City, Oregon

“Butch” Virgil Wayne Rauch

“Butch” Virgil Wayne Rauch of Benton City, WA passed peacefully from this life on July 12, 2015 in Tillamook, Oregon with his family and beloved pet, Mariah, by his side. Butch was a life-long resident of the Tri-cities.  Butch was born on July 25, 1947 in Baker City, OR to David Wilmore Nutt and Marjorie (Wallace) Rauch of Richland, OR. Before Butch’s first birthday, he and his mother moved to Richland, WA. It was not long before Marjorie met the love of her life, Harry Paul Rauch. They married in 1949, and Harry adopted Butch. Butch attended school at Tri-City Junior Academy, Upper Columbia Academy, and Columbia (Richland) High School. After graduating from Col. High in 1966, Butch was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served as a medic for two years from 1966-1968. In the years following his military service, Butch opened a Union 76 service station and met his first wife Diane (West) Aubry. Butch and Diane married in 1972 in Richland, WA. They had two daughters, Sherry and Michelle. Butch was thrilled that they were born exactly three years apart. True to his character, when Michelle was born and the discussion turned to naming the baby, Butch wanted to name them similar names. Fearing she would confuse the names, Diane objected. They agreed on Michelle and filled out the birth certificate. Immediately after signing it, Butch gleefully declared, “Great! Now I have a Sherry and a Shelli.”

 

Butch had a love for life and adventure. He began a career at the Hanford Reservation as a nuclear process operator, earned his personal pilot’s license, served as a reserve officer on the Richland police force, and spent many hours planning and participating in bi-yearly trips to Mexico to provide medical care to the impoverished people of that country.

 

Butch and Diane eventually divorced and 15 years later met his second wife, Lisa Domnoske. Butch and Lisa married in 1994 and began their life together on a small farm in Kennewick. Butch had an affinity for all animals, but had a passion for dogs and horses. Butch and Lisa eventually moved to the countryside outside of Benton City to expand their farm and began showing quarter horses. Butch loved volunteering and organizing events for the Mid-Columbia Quarter Horse Association. He and Lisa owned a champion show horse, My Chance To Be Cool. They enjoyed teaching their grandson, Joseph, how to show horses and traveling throughout the region.

 

Butch was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver (non-alcohol related) in 2010. Lisa and Butch divorced in 2013 and Butch moved into Benton City. It was at this time that Butch learned to enjoy the small things in life. He became closer to his family and, more than ever, he recognized and value of loyal friends. He was a true people person and never missed a chance to tell a joke or deliver an off-handed comment. He would tease, constantly delighting in playing practical jokes on anyone. He was always looking to help others and neither friend nor stranger could pass by without a kind word or light-hearted comment. His true joy in life was making other people laugh.

 

Butch was looking forward to the wedding of his oldest grandson, Joseph Stevenson to Tanya Robertson of Salt Lake City, UT, next month and the birth of his first great-grandchild (Christopher Larson and Katelyn MacKay) in October.

 

Butch is preceded in death by his parents, Marjorie Ellen (Wallace) and Harry Paul Rauch. He will be dearly missed by his two daughters and sons-in-law: Sherry and Mike Stevenson and Michelle “Shelli” and Garry Larson.  Grandchildren include: Joseph, Thomas, Andrew, Jarred and Rachel Stevenson, and Christopher and Alexander Larson, all of Tooele, UT.  He is also survived by his sister, Paula and John Bohlman of Tillamook, Oregon with their four children, Shonna (Garrett) Moak, Laura (Daniel) Drayton, Julie Bohlman, and Jonathan Bohlman, along with numerous  other extended family members.

Butch will be remembered for his instant smile, humor, and continual teasing.  Old friends reestablished a real connection very quickly.  He loved life. 

 

Viewing will be held at Einan’s Funeral Home in Richland, WA on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at 12:00 p.m.  Services will follow at 2:00 p.m.

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“Butch” Virgil Wayne Rauch

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  • Was so sorry to hear Butch had passed. What a funny guy! Could always get a smile out of you. I’m going to miss you coming in to my work and giving me a bad time. Rest in peace friend…

    Suzie
    October 10, 2015
    Richland
  • I have not seen Butch since he graduated in 1966. But we doubled dated at Home Coming in ’66. I remember having such a Fun time with Butch & Patti Shelton that night. Butch will be Missed by so many friends!!
    My Prayers go out to Butch’ s Family!
    God Bless & Take Care
    Pam EHINGER Edinger The Blur Ribbon Class of ’67

    Pam EHINGER Edinger
    September 15, 2015
    Omak, WA
  • I was a high school classmate of Butch’s first wife Diane, and met Butch when I hired on as a Tank Farm Operator in Dec. 1975. Butch was indeed a first class a prankster and a tease! He was also very smart and a wonderful mentor (in his own way). I was fortunate to have gone on one of the trips to Mexico and was impressed by his compassion for and commitment to the cause. He will be missed.

    Sue (Esty) Cornell
    July 26, 2015
    Pasco, WA
  • There’s shine in a smile. Just like a sunbeam brightens the sky, a smile on the face of a passerby can make a drab and crowded street a pleasant place. This was Virgil. I’m so sorry for your loss Sherri and Shelli Love you both.

    Ruth Baldwin Hester
    July 23, 2015
    Lexington NC 27295
  • We will not forget you from good “Col Hi” days..Memories will linger..

    Karen
    July 20, 2015
    Anchorage, Alaska
  • We are deeply sorry for the loss of Butch. We always had fun with him at the horse shows and he always made us laugh. I’ll remember the year that between Butch and I (Chris) we were able to accumulate 95% of the buckle sponsorships needed for the big Emerald Quarter Horse show in Monroe. I’ll treasure that memory for a very long time. RIP Butch, you will be missed!

    Tim & Chris Kinzell
    July 19, 2015
    Yakima, WA
  • awe burtch didn t know you passed on to better and bigger things. heaven. we wont see you this side of heaven again until we get to the other side.. always a great friend known for a long time. my sympathy to your family. will miss you .

    joy hirsch
    July 18, 2015
    benton city wa. 99320
  • Butch and I were together for 20 years. He was a “Social Butterfly”. He would talk with anyone anywhere! There was a lot of laughter in our lives. There will be a little less laughter in the world now. He loved to tell stories, over and over! We all patiently listened. I am so sorry he is gone. I wouldn’t mind hearing those stories just one more time….

    Lisa Domnoske
    July 17, 2015
    Benton City, WA
  • I always loved talking to Butch – always a smile and joking. RIP Butch.

    Carol Pedersen
    July 17, 2015
    Benton City, Wa
  • I will always remember Butch’s laugh and the first time I met him. He will truly be missed. His family is in my heart and prayers.

    Michelle Davis
    July 17, 2015
    Pasco, WA
  • To Butch’s family,
    I enjoyed the many tours-of-duty that I had having Butch working with me at Richland PD. He was an invaluable asset to me especially when I first became an officer (1973). I enjoyed the airplane rides he took me on, especially the flight to Mt. St. Helens the year after it blew. Also, when I was a Detective, he took me on a flight to search for a stolen car dumped in the Snake River near Ice Harbor Dam. We circled over the dam so many times, that someone reported us to the Pasco FAA person as a suspicious plane (this was prior to Sept. 11,2001). I will truly miss his laugh!

    Lee Bush
    July 16, 2015
    West Richland, WA
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