Ed Rau, known for his vast knowledge as chief electronics technician and building maintenance specialist for the Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases in the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, died June 10 in Gilbert, Arizona. He was 64.
Colleagues say Rau’s expertise, commitment and problem-solving skills made him an invaluable member of both the research community and the development of future cancer treatments. So much so that, although he semi-retired in 2022 and further reduced his hours in 2023, he stayed on as a temporary worker until his death.
In all, Rau dedicated nearly 40 years supporting cancer research laboratories at the Eppley Institute. In 2018, he received the Chancellor’s Gold U Award, which recognizes employees – at both the campus and University of Nebraska Board of Regents level — for outstanding performance and service.
Coworkers say there was seemingly nothing Rau could not fix, build or improve. “From getting the perfect weight attached to my kids’ Pinewood Derby cars when they were in grade school to repairing sophisticated instrumentation with no instructions, Ed was one of those people you could ask to help with anything,” said Gloria Borgstahl, PhD, professor in the Eppley Institute. “He was a true friend and colleague and will be truly missed.”
“I relied on Ed countless times to help troubleshoot and repair highly sophisticated radiation equipment,” said Frank Rutar, director of radiation safety in the UNMC Department of Environmental Health and Safety. “He had a remarkable ability to understand complex systems and would always seek out the information, training or expertise needed to solve a problem (often matching or surpassing the support provided by the equipment manufacturers themselves).”
Rau also cared deeply about quality and safety, said Ying Yan, PhD, professor in the UNMC Department of Radiation Oncology. “I remember one night when our -140°C freezer failed and sent an alarm. Ed called us at 2 a.m. and was already at the freezer site when we arrived. He helped us transfer reagents to safe storage until 4 a.m. and made sure the broken freezer was safely shut off before leaving. This was just one example of his dedication, empathy and commitment to supporting UNMC’s mission of innovative research and extraordinary patient care.”
Rau “made the Eppley Institute a better place,” said Adrian and Jennifer Black, both PhDs and faculty within the Eppley Institute.
A Navy veteran of 28 years (active and reserve), Rau came to UNMC as a lab technician in 1987, when his active duty ended. Although he continued in the Naval Reserves, he found at UNMC and the Eppley Institute, and later the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, a new career that also offered a sense of mission.
A celebration of Rau’s life is scheduled July 15 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Indian Creek Golf Course, 3825 N. 202nd St., in Elkhorn, Nebraska. A private interment will be held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, Iowa. Read Rau’s obituary at this link.