In Memory of
Dr. Ed Rauchut
A member of the Bellevue University family, Dr. Ed Rauchut, passed away on April 12th, 2012 at 3 a.m.
In an article written my Michael Kelly for the Omaha World-Herald, former University president Dr. John Muller stated, "I would say he was the most popular and influential professor at the university in the past 20 years. This is a very, very significant loss to the university."
Ed held the William and Berniece Grewcock Chair of the University's Center for American Vision and Values and was director of the American Vision and Values Trust.
He earned a doctorate in English literature, with a specialty in Shakespeare, and particular emphasis on medieval and Renaissance laws of war and laws of arms. He wrote and edited five books, as well as numerous articles on these and other topics.
Prior to his work at the University, Ed served as president and senior research fellow of the Niobrara Institute –The Nebraska Center for Public Policy. He headed the Nebraska chapter of the National Association of Scholars and sat on the national board of the same organization.
Over the past few years, Ed's commentary appeared nationally and locally, in The Wall Street Journal, Education Week, and the Omaha World-Herald. He was also a frequent public speaker and guest on talk radio.
Ed's awards and honors included a Distinguished ConAgra Professorship and the National Endowment for the Humanities' Teacher/Scholar Award. He was listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the Midwest, as well as in Who's Who Among America's Teachers. His innovative courses attracted national attention in The Chronicle of Higher Education, and other papers across the country.
Ed is survived by wife Ilga Briedis-Rauchut and three children: Margrieta (Margi), Andrejs (Andy), and Ieva (Evie) .
Remembering Dr. Ed Rauchut:
"Capitalism delivers many good things but, on the whole, economic equality is not one of them."
This is on a pillow our daughter, Evie, now carries round and sleeps with. It was a gift from a student and used to be displayed in my husband's man-cave office at the university. Thank you to the student whose gift it was.
-Ilga Rauchut
His presences at Bellevue University will be missed and felt for a very long time. I loved working with Dr. Rauchut and taking his classes. He made class enjoyable. You walked out of his classes learning more than what was in the text book. He made learning real. Thank you for everything that you have brought to my life and to the thousands of students that you have touched.
-T Shaw
I had him as a professor in one of my courses. He was a very knowledgable, impressive human being. My sympathies to his family.
-A Johnson
I too had him as a professor. He was a very kind and knowledgeable man and I know he will be missed. My sympathies to his loved ones.
-W Kohtz
I wasn't fortunate to have him as a professor, but I did study his books. The extinguishing of any flame is always felt. My condolences to his families, both personal & professional.
-A Yancey
Dr. Rauchut was my first professor at BU. He gave me strength and confidence in myself to keep going and pursue my education. I graduate in June and I don't think I would have made it without his encouragement. Rest in peace. And prayers to his beautiful family.
-J Turnbull
My thoughts and prayers go with him and his family. One of the nicest men I've met and an amazing instructor.
-E Svensson
Dr Ed was one of my favorited professors. He taught the Kirkpatrick series as no one else could.
-R Daywalt
I am devastated by the loss of my favorite professor, he was my professor for the last 2 terms before graduation:( he inspired me so much and i learned from him alot. My prayers are for his family!!!
-L Villagomez
My heart goes out to his family. He always talked so lovingly of them in class. I had him in 3 classes over the course of my time at BU and he was genuine. I will miss him. RIP Dr. Ed.
-B Dunn
Very Sad I cannot believe it he was a great man and professor and will be missed.
-A Haines
I am so sorry to hear this. He was an amazing professor!!! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family & friends.
-K Gilbo
It has been a very sad day for Bellevue University. Dr Rauchut had touched so many staff and students lives in a positive way. He will be Truly missed. My heartfelt prayers go out to his family. Rest In Paradise Dr. Ed Rauchut
-K Coleman
My condolences to his family. He was a great professor :(
-M Zuzana
Good man. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
-K Brooks
Thoughts and prayers to his family.
-K Ceder
Such sad news. Keeping his family in my thoughts and prayers as he was a great professor.
-M Collins-Wolaver
He was a great professor, in our thoughts and prayers
-B Sullivan
So sad to hear this. His American Vision and Values book was the best college textbook I've ever had the pleasure of reading.
-M Harden
Thoughts & prayers to the family. He was a great professor!
-C Mertes
My condolences to the family he left behind, both personal and professional. His flame may have be extinguished but it burns brightly in every life he touched, which have been many.
-A Yancey
I am so in shock right now! Professor Rauchut you will be missed greatly and your values and vision lives on.
-D Lee
Ed was one of the most genuine and hard-working people I've ever known. A truly great person. He will be missed. "Give sorrow words: the grief that does not speak Whispers the o'er-fraught heart, and bids it break."
-R Green
Very sad to hear this. Thoughts and prayers to the Rauchut family & BU family. I have great memories of working with him! He was an exceptional individual!
-T Dunlap
Dr. Rauchut was a wonderful professor. His family is in my thoughts and prayers. He will be missed!!
-M Putruele-Dade
Dr. Ed taught us so much in and out of the classroom...a dear friend and colleague he will be missed but the knowledge he shared with us will live on...
-C Bowman
Dr. Rauchet was the best Professor I had. I am deeply saddened to hear this news. My condolences goes out to his family.
-D Miller
This is terrible news. I am so sorry to hear that - my sincere condolences go to his family and the faculty. This is VERY sad news and too young!
-P Wienke
He was such an amazing professor and person! He will be greatly missed! :-(
-T Mayer
It was my pleasure and sincere honor to know Dr. Ed both professionally and personally. I was a constant witness to his sincere passion for people and his work. Dr. Ed inspired me to care for others by the way he conducted himself inside and outside the classroom. I am deeply saddened and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and my BU family. Thank you Dr. Ed for being you and making this world a better place! Let's not forget his legacy by acting on what he taught so it stays alive in us!!!
-C Dunn
What a terrible loss to those who knew him and for those who never got the chance. Dr. Ed was an amazing instructor and person. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. He will be missed.
-G Mantzaris
Rest in Peace, Dr. Rauchut. He truly left a great legacy of knowledge.
-A Roberson
His presences at Bellevue University will be missed and felt for a very long time. I loved working with Dr. Rauchut and taking his classes. He made class enjoyable. You walked out of his classes learning more than what was in the text book. He made learning real. Thank you for everything that you have brought to my life and to the thousands of students that you have touched.
-T Shaw
Dr. Ed will truly be missed. I worked down the hall from him for 5 years and he was such a joy to work with. I thought the class he developed was awesome, because a lot of that stuff you don't learn growing up. He will truly be missed.
-C Yates
Learned more from this man the most of the rest of my teachers combined.
-D Johnson
So sad to hear this. This man was one of the best teachers I have had during my college tenure.
-P Taylor
RIP Dr. Ed Rauchut. An honest, generous man who believed in the goodness of America.
-B Stevens
Our community lost a great American and Bellevue University lost a beloved colleague. Prayers to Dr. Ed's family in their time of sorrow.
-J Nekuda
A great and a very compassionate person. Please everyone remember his family in our prayers. This is such a loss to everyone. His family, the community and all who ever knew him.
-B Ragland
These thoughts and condolences were received on Bellevue University's Facebook.
