Max Rudy Rauer

Max Rudy Rauer, 74, of Jacksonville, Florida left this life on January 13, 2024. He had been under doctor’s care for congestive heart failure and AFib.

Max was born May 12, 1949 to Ursula (Paetzel) Rauer and Heinz Rauer in Kiel, Germany. He, his parents, and brother Manfred, immigrated to the United States in 1955. 

His sister, Madeline, was born in Chicago six years later.

Max is survived by his wife of nearly 44 years, Karen Stewart Rauer, their children Nicholas H. Rauer (Nicole Rauer) and Emily U. Moes (Jason Moes) and their two grandsons, Henry (10) and Crosby (9) Moes.

Upon graduating from Kelly High School in 1968, Max enlisted in the United States Navy and proudly served his country during a successful and decorated career of 24 years, 8 months. He retired as an Aviation Ordnance Senior Chief (E-8) in 1993. 

While stationed at Barber’s Point, Hawaii (on Oahu), Max met Karen (Madison High School class of ‘74) at a mutual friend’s house, proposed to her four months later in Stuttgart, Germany and the two were married on a wintery day eight months later in Chicago on February 16, 1980.

After retirement, Max moved his family to the great Northwoods of Wisconsin to be close to his grandmother and parents on the beautiful Pine Lake. In Rhinelander, he was employed by the Wausau Mosinee Paper Corporation. Max loved to be on the lake in his boat fishing almost as much as he loved being surrounded by his friends and family. He truly was an amazingly loving husband, father to his children, and son to Ursula and Heinz.

On Sundays you could find Max cheering on his beloved Chicago Bears with his father as they were fortunate enough to live right next door to one another for 25 years. Max proudly passed on his support of the Bears to his son, Nick, as well. They continued to enjoy games together throughout the years, including traveling to London to watch Da Bears against the Raiders.

In his later years of life, nothing brought Max greater joy than to be with his grandsons, Henry and Crosby, which he had just done a few weeks ago during the Christmas/New Year holiday. His eyes lit up at the very mention of their names and he was nothing short of an incredible Opa to them. Nothing meant more to his daughter, Emily, and her husband, Jason, than when he drove the 5-hour round trip every week to take care of Henry, and eventually Crosby, while they were working. He and Karen did that for seven years before moving to Florida to escape winters in Wisconsin.

Max was well loved by all who knew him and his passing is a great loss to many. He will be dearly missed. 

Max’s family is planning a small celebration of his life around his 75th birthday in May in Rhinelander.