Lou Raasch

A Private Graveside Memorial Service and Inurnment for Lou R. Raasch will be held at the Republican City Cemetery, in rural Republican City, Nebraska, at a later date.  Lou R. Raasch has bequeathed his body to First to Restore Life at Elizabethton, Tennessee, for tissue research.

Lou Reinhart Raasch, 78 years of age, of Johnson City, Tennessee, formerly of Republican City, died on Friday, April 29, 2022, in Tennessee.  Lou was born on April 27, 1944, at his home in Old Republican City, the eldest child of R.E. (Hart) and Helen (Voight) Raasch, and was baptized at the Republican City Methodist Church.

Highlights of Lou's childhood include, riding with his sister, Jean, in their home when it was being moved to the new foundation in 1951, years after the big flood of 1935; and going to Saturday afternoon movies with his sister, Joy.  He was always curious about how things worked.  Lou found his lifelong interest in science, math, and science fiction, early in life.

Lou graduated from Republican City High School in 1962, as Valedictorian.  He pursued higher education and received his PhD Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Chemistry; Bachelor of Science in Chemistry; Majored in Math; and Minored in English from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, Nebraska.

On June 1, 1968, Lou was united in marriage to Norma Curnes and they were blessed with two children:  Michelle, and Christopher.  Lou taught at McMurray College in Illinois, East Tennessee State University, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  Lou then went into Environmental Quality Control and Aerojet, North American Rayon, and Domtar, all located in Tennessee.

In his free time, Lou enjoyed taking walks, reading, playing cards, doing puzzles, and was fascinated with the idea of extraterrestrial life.

Welcoming him to heaven are his parents; great-nephew, Tyler Casebolt; along with many more relatives, and friends.

Those left to cherish his memories include:  his daughter, Michelle Smith and her husband, Fred; and son, Christopher Raasch and his wife, Paras; and granddaughter, Maisa, all of Johnson City, Tennessee; two sisters: Jean Casebolt and her husband, Larry of Westminster, Colorado; and Joy Schluntz of Holdrege, Nebraska; wife, Sheri Raasch of Johnson City, Tennessee; along with other relatives and friends.

There will not be a visitation or viewing.

A memorial has been established in Lou's honor, and kindly suggested to the family.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Wilcox is in charge of the arrangements.