Rausch: tireless worker, family man
By Matt Chiappardi, Staff Writer
HIGHTSTOWN — Every year around Christmastime, Ronald Rausch would come to work at the borough’s Public Works Department with some sort of cheery ornament on his head.
”He’d come in with a red nose, or reindeer ears or some kind of light-up Santa hat,” said Public Works administrative assistant Donna Syx.
It was indicative of a person who family, friends, co-workers and community leaders all said was a generous family man, tireless worker and a fixture in the borough the past 20 years.
Mr. Rausch died Sunday at age 38. His death was the result of heart failure after being administered anesthesia for a hip operation, his stepfather David Babcock said.
His passing shocked and devastated those close to him.
”It’s really taking an effect on the Public Works Department,” said Director Larry Blake.
”People are shook up over the whole thing. When people get old, you expect them to pass. A fellow as young as he is, it’s just not right. He had a lot of things ahead of him that he could be doing,” he added.
Mr. Rausch had dislocated his hip after being pulled from a muddy ditch while repairing a water main break about two years ago, Mr. Babcock said.
”He needed hip replacement done, but the workers’ comp said he was too young for hip replacement surgery. He had to fight for two years to get the surgery done, you know typical insurance company stuff,” he said. “When they put him under anesthesia, he stopped breathing and then his heart stopped.”
Mr. Blake said he was stunned Mr. Rausch didn’t survive the operation.
”He was a young guy in pretty good shape. We had our hopes up that he’d make it through and be all right, but it didn’t turn out that way,” he said.
Mr. Rausch was born in Rahway and lived briefly in Sayreville and South Amboy before his family settled in Hightstown in 1978, according to information provided by the Glackin/Saul Funeral Home.
His mother, Ethel Babcock of Hightstown, wanted to talk about her son Tuesday but her grief quickly stopped her, as she turned the phone over to her husband.
Mr. Rausch went through the East Windsor Regional School system. Upon graduating from Hightstown High in 1989 got a job working as a driver and laborer for the borough’s Public Works Department and has been working for the borough ever since, said his friend and co-worker borough water plant operator Sean McGuire.
”He was a jack of all trades,” Mr. McGuire said.
”He was just a fixture around town, a guy you’d see everywhere. He’s was so friendly and would say ‘hi’ to anyone he met,” he added.
Mr. Rausch was a volunteer for East Windsor First Aid Squad District 1.
In the borough, according to Mr. McGuire, he worked his way up the ranks in the Public Works Department. He was a general laborer, while also working as a bus driver for the regional school district, he said. Then he worked on a borough sanitation truck, in the sewer plant, and finally as second in command at the borough’s water plant, he added.
”He was a very good worker. He knew what to do during emergencies, he could work by himself, and he’d always be willing to work whatever shift you needed him,” Mr. McGuire said.
But what Mr. McGuire remembers most about Mr. Rausch was his congenial spirit and his love of sports, hard rock music and scuba diving.
”He was an avid Philadelphia sports fan — Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, those were all his teams no matter what,” Mr. McGuire said.
His free time for friends, however, was limited because, as Mr. McGuire points out, family was Mr. Rausch’s first priority and he spent as much time as he could with his 12-year-old son, Ron, and his fiancée Lauren McGeady.
”He enjoyed his son, and would avidly try to be with him or take him to Thunder games or anything, as much as he could,” Mr. McGuire said.
Mr. Rausch’s stepfather couldn’t help but gush with pride when talking about his stepson.
”He was a good son and a good father,” he said.
”He was well known throughout the community. He was second in charge at the water plant, would walk through the entire town reading water meters, he’d flush fire hydrants when they needed it. Everybody knew him as a hard worker and a great guy,” he added.
But what most impressed Mr. Babcock, too, was his son’s dedication to family.
”He was a family man first,” he said. “He had a fiancée who is going to miss him.”
Mr. Babcock said his stepson had been engaged for about eight months, but had yet to finalize any wedding plans.
Local community leaders also remember Mr. Rausch’s ubiquitous presence throughout the borough.
”He had a great sense of humor and always had a story to tell you,” said Borough Council President Walter Sikorski.
Mayor Bob Patten taught Mr. Rausch his second-grade physical education class at the Walter C. Black School about 30 years ago. He said he watched him grow from a “quiet and polite” 7-year-old into someone “who made a positive difference in the town” over the decades.
”He definitely reflected his wonderful family values upon me,” the mayor said. “Ronnie was a dedicated borough employee who made a positive difference to our town and the people with whom he came in contact. I will always see the glimmer of his smile that always greeted me.”

