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Canon William V. Rauscher, Jr.
October 17, 1932 - July 3, 2024
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Canon William V. Rauscher, Jr. age 91, Episcopal Priest, Canon, and former rector of Christ Church, Woodbury, NJ for 36 years.
Born in Long Branch, NJ, raised in Highlands, he was the son of the late William V., Sr. and Marie E. (Gautschy). He was a 1954 graduate of Glassboro State Teachers College and the Philadelphia Divinity School in 1957. He was ordained to the Diaconate in 1957 and the Priesthood in 1957 by The Right Reverend Alfred L. Banyard. He served as rector of St. Stephens', Florence, NJ from 1957 to 1960, and then as rector of Christ Church, Woodbury, NJ from 1960 to 1996. In 1971 he was made an Honorary Canon of Trinity Cathedral, Trenton, NJ.
Canon Rauscher was active in the Diocese during his years of ministry and served on the faculty of the Diocesan Girls' Conference, was a member of the Commission on Evangelism, organized the Diocesan Vocational Episcopal School of Religion, served as President of the Woodbury Clergy Association, Secretary of the Music Commission of the Diocese, a Deputy to Provincial Synod, and a member of the Committee for the Publication of the Diocesan Joumal. He chaired the Convocation Acolyte Festival, was a Trustee of the Diocesan Foundation, and served on the Board of Missions. He acted as Conference leader at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City, and a member of the New Jersey Diocesan Cathedral Chapter. He also chaired the speaker's program of the once Medford Youth Conference of his diocese.
During his years as rector of Christ Church, Woodbury he sponsored numerous speakers, hosted a local school of religion, and brought to Woodbury prominent personalities, including Astronaut Edgar D. Mitchell. He was a participant in the International Conferences of Parapsychology on the Survival of Human Personality After Death held in St. Paul de Vence, France. Locally in 1966 Rauscher was the Convener of the first Woodbury Ecumenical Panel Discussions on approaches to Holy Communion held at Saint Patrick's Roman Catholic Church. During the Civil Rights movement he was one of the few clergy, along with his curate The Rev. John E. Bird and the Christ Church congregation, who appeared on the Court House steps
to promote racial equality.
His special interests included the subjects of Science and Religion, the study of consciousness, parapsychology, psychic research and all areas of mystical and ascetical theology. He is the author of some 20 books and monographs. As a hobby he enjoyed the history and performance of stage magic.
Burial Office and Requiem will be held at Christ Church, 62 Delaware Street,
Woodbury, NJ at 11 00 a.m. on July 10, 2024. There will be no viewing. Interment will be at Eglington Cemetery, Clarksboro, NJ following the service. Instead of flowers friends are asked to contribute to the Principle of the Endowment Fund of Christ Church, Woodbury, started by Canon Rauscher during the early years of his rectorship.
Remember thy servant, William, according to the favor which thou bearest unto thy people; and grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of thee, he may go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in thy heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Please keep his family, friends and our parish in your prayers.
May Williams's soul and the souls of all the departed rest in peace.
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