Robert J. Rausch

On the evening of September 5th, Robert “Bob” John Rausch passed away at his home in Monterey, MA at the age of 78. Barbara Swann, his partner of 21 years, was by his side. Bob had been battling cancer for some time and, although the moment of his passing was peaceful, the last several months of his life were quite difficult and the last couple of weeks especially so.

Bob was born and grew up in Cumberland, Rhode Island at a time when it was mostly farms and forests. As a boy, Bob explored many of the neighboring woodland areas, hiking and fishing with his father, sister, and his close friend, Myles. Out of those formative experiences, Bob developed a deep reverence for the natural world that would remain with him his entire life. Bob also developed a deep reverence for baseball and, thanks to an early growth spurt, became one of those six-foot tall Little League pitchers that strikes fear in the hearts of normal-sized 12 and 13-year olds.

Bob attended the University of Rhode Island and majored in biology, graduating in 1968 at the height of the Vietnam War. He was drafted a year later and served stateside as a phlebotomist. Upon leaving the army, Bob taught at several alternative schools including Nature’s Classroom in New Hampshire where he discovered that he really enjoyed teaching young people, living in community, and working outdoors. In 1978, a chance conversation led Bob to Gould Farm, a therapeutic community in Monterey, MA for people experiencing mental health challenges.

Bob would spend the next 46 years of his life living and working at Gould Farm. He began helping out in Gardens and Grounds and eventually become head of that department, a position he held for over 30 years.

Bob excelled professionally at Gould Farm. In 2005, he was instrumental in a decision to place a 200-acre Agricultural Preservation Restriction on approximately one third of Gould Farm’s property. A year later the Forest Stewards Guild designated the Gould Farm woodlands as a Model Forest ⎯ an exceedingly rare designation ⎯ due in no small part to Bob’s steady leadership in developing a comprehensive management plan with the help of a local forester and the Conway School of Landscape Design.

But Bob’s Gould Farm legacy goes well beyond these accomplishments. He loved working with the Farm’s residents (“guests”) and his kind, thoughtful, and patient manner was evident in everything he said and did. Whether overseeing the daily work program crews of housekeepers, lawn mowers, wood splitters, trail clearers, sap collectors and snow shovelers, or leading hikes and nature walks where he shared his deep knowledge of local flora, fauna, geology, and history, or pitching for both teams in the weekly softball game, or feeding stray cats in the milking barn, or delivering the daily weather report in his distinctive style at morning meeting, Bob fully embodied both the mission and spirit of Gould Farm and was a beloved friend and mentor to generations of Gould Farmers, guests and staff alike.

In 1981, Bob met Diane Schecter, a nurse from New York City. What began as a simple consult on a landscaping project at Diane’s home in Monterey, soon took a romantic turn. They were married in April of 1983. Tragically, Diane died of cancer in 1992. Diane loved the outdoors as much as Bob and so, with the help of many friends, Bob created a unique trail in her memory on Gould Farm property that traverses both wetland and woodland habitats. Thanks to Bob’s vision and perseverance, Diane’s Trail has become one of the hidden gems of Berkshire County, enjoyed by hundreds of individuals and families every year.

Bob was an avid reader and during his lifetime amassed an extensive library of nonfiction works, including many nature volumes. He was particularly inspired by the writings of the historian, philosopher, and urban planner, Lewis Mumford. Bob owned nearly every one of Mumford’s books and read many of them multiple times. For a period in the 70’s, Bob and Mumford exchanged letters and Bob visited him and his wife on several occasions at their home in Amenia, NY. Bob left his books to Gould Farm where they will be made available to the community in a library room bearing his name.

Throughout his life, Bob nurtured and cherished each and every relationship, often remembering details about someone’s life that they themselves had forgotten. He maintained scores of written correspondences. Not a few people consider Bob to be the kindest person they have ever met. Yet his gentle manner often disguised a wonderfully dry sense of humor that would come out of left field, leaving the listener in stitches as his massive eyebrows danced up and down.

During the final months of his life, a steady stream of current and former Gould Farmers as well as other dear friends visited Bob and Barbara at their Monterey home. For those who knew and loved him ⎯ and there are a great many ⎯ the passing of Bob Rausch is deeply felt. May his dear sweet soul rest in peace.

Bob is survived by his loving partner, Barbara Swann, his sister, Carol Rausch, and his niece, Debbie Schecter.

SERVICE - A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at Gould Farm on Sunday, October 19th at 2:00 PM.

Donations in memory of Bob can be made directly to Gould Farm.

To send remembrances to Bob’s family please go to www.finnertyandstevens.com