Walter Raucher

Raucher, Walter Leon, age 79, of Seymour, passed away on Monday October 10, 2005 at Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Up until his death, Walter was an active and vibrant member of the Seymour community. Walter was an electrical engineer by trade, having earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering and electronic engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology. During his career as an engineer for the government, he worked with the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the U.S. Department of Energy. Walter won several awards for his expertise, including two from N.A.S.A. for his work on the Apollo 8 and Apollo 11 programs. He was a founding member of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 2144. In addition to his career, he was a very talented dancer and musician who played piano for 75 years, he also played the organ and guitar. He belonged to the Music Teachers Association and even wrote several volumes of music for each instrument he played. Walter was also an avid believer in active participation in government and democracy. His mother Helen Raucher preceded him in death. His survivors include: his loving wife of 24 years Alfreda Raucher; children: Vickie and husband Michael Collins of Kokomo, IN; Fred and wife Beverly Lovegrove of Knoxville; Barbara White and husband Ronnie Leuderman of Knoxville; Rhonda and husband Scott Cook; and Deborah and husband Michael Graves of Knoxville. Other survivors include 13 wonderful grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held on Saturday October 15, 2005 at Berry Funeral Home. Mr. Raucher was interred at Woodlawn Cemetery.