Walter F. Rausch, 98, beloved husband of the late Margaret (Gallagher) Rausch, passed away Thursday, January 26, 2017 at Avery Heights, Hartford. Born September 12, 1918 in New Haven, CT, son of the late Joseph and Delia (Woods) Rausch, he grew up in New Haven and graduated from Hillhouse High School. He subsequently attended the University of Connecticut and the University of New Haven. He proudly served for four years in the armed forces during World War II as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Signal Corps as well as the Army Reserves. He worked as a Purchasing Agent and Materials Manager for various industries in the New Haven area until his retirement. Walter lived with his wife Margaret in Cheshire for 51 years until the move to their Avery Heights “cottage” in 2006. He remained active following Margaret’s death in 2009, enjoyed going out to eat, attending concerts and parades, and following various sports teams, most especially the UCONN women’s basketball team. He was extremely proud of his Irish heritage and loved recounting memories of his boyhood. He loved theater (having been a local actor in his younger days), tinkering and fixing things, history, and keeping up with current events. Known as “Pop” to his family, he leaves his children, Marianne (Jim) Hile of Clinton and Eileen Rausch of West Hartford, and his cherished grandchildren, Greg Hile of New Haven, Lauren Hile of Stamford, Meredith Hile of Clinton and Devin Shaheen of New York City. The family would like to especially thank Walter’s faithful friends Ed Kosinski of Meriden and Bill Dawson of West Hartford. Calling hours will be Friday, February 3 from 4-7 pm at Sheehan-Hilborn-Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St Mark the Evangelist Church, 467 South Quaker Lane, West Hartford at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 4. Private burial with military honors will be Monday, February 6 in St Bridget’s Cemetery in Cheshire. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076 or Archdiocese of Hartford’s Office of Radio & Television, 15 Peach Orchard Rd, Prospect, CT 06712. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com.