Marshall A. Rauch and his late wife, Jeanne G. Rauch, were awarded the Sims Award from The Community Foundation of Gaston County on Thursday. The foundation hosted its 24th Annual Allen H. Sims Dinner on Thursday at Gaston Country Club. Jeanne Girard Rauch was born and raised in Gastonia. She attended Duke University and Syracuse University. While at Duke she met Marshall Rauch, whom she later married. Together they raised five children, John, Ingrid, Marc, Peter and Stephanie.
She is remembered as a loving mother and devoted wife. Jeanne Rauch was an accomplished artist and worked to establish the Art Guild, as well as the Gaston County Art and History Museum. She also served on the N.C. Board of Directors of the N.C. Museum of Art.
She devoted time serving as secretary for the Little Theater of Gastonia and worked with the Girl Scout Council. Lucy Penegar, who worked closely with Jeanne Rauch on many projects, described her friend as inspiring. Marshall Arthur Rauch can be seen serving up hotdogs and smiles as he greets folks at his famous side-yard summer luncheons. Rauch said he was grateful for Thursday’s opportunity to bring family and friends together.
“It was a wonderful affair,” he said. “It’s very heartwarming to have your friends give you a pat on the back.” Born in New York, N.Y., Marshall Rauch either brought with him or acquired an air of Southern hospitality, say his friends. Don Walser worked with Marshall Rauch for more than 25 years at Rauch Industries, the largest manufacturer of Christmas ornaments in the world.
As CFO, Walser says he witnessed the kindness Marshall showed his employees, the fair shot everyone received from Marshall Rauch — and Rauch’s love of ice cream. Walser is also quick to issue a warning: Never enter a math contest with Marshall Rauch.
Bryan Houck served as a director of public affairs for Bellsouth and AT&T. Through his work in Raleigh, Houck says he knew Marshall Rauch to be the most powerful member of the General Assembly for years. Marshall Rauch also served his country in WWII, earning the Bronze Star and the Combat Infantry Medal, as well as the WWII Victory Medal.
As a community leader, Marshall Rauch served as mayor pro tem for Gastonia and as president and director for many nonprofits. Asked to single out any one accomplishment, he is quick to give others credit.
"I have a lot of friends all over,” Marshall Rauch said. “The best things in my life are my religion and my family. I consider them synonymous. And I have a multitude of close friends. They give me inner strength to do a lot of things I never would've been able to accomplish without them."
Pushed to highlight one community effort, he will mention his work as chairman of the Gastonia Human Relations Committee in the early to mid 1960s. In 2004, Marshall Rauch received the first Gaston County Martin Luther King Unity Award for his efforts over the years in race relations.
For 12 years Marshall Rauch has served on the board of directors for the Community Foundation of Gaston County. In 1996, the Rauch Family Fund was established and in 2006 the family private foundation was moved to the Rauch Family Fund. Through the years, the foundation’s board has been the beneficiary of Marshall’s business acumen and compassion for present and future generations in the community, leaders say.