Jeffrey Rau
September 04, 1955 - March 03, 2026
Visitation: Private
Service: Saturday, March 28th at 10AM, St. Teresa of Avila Church, 1000 Avila Ct., Pgh, PA 15237
In Loving Memory of Jeffrey Keith Rau
September 4, 1955 – March 3, 2026
Jeffrey Keith Rau passed away peacefully on March 3, 2026, leaving behind a life that read like a thoughtful, well-traveled story—one shaped by curiosity, craftsmanship, love, and a deep reverence for both people and the world around him.
Jeff was, at his core, an explorer of life. In his early years, that spirit carried him across borders and into new cultures, including several transformative years in Russia. It was there that he met his beloved wife, Natasha, at a Buddhist temple in Saint Petersburg. He embraced Natasha’s daughter, Kristina, as his own. Together, they built a life rooted in love, eventually settling in Delaware, where their family story continued to unfold.
A true Renaissance soul, Jeff moved fluidly between worlds—a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, he was a scholar with a mind that delighted in asking why, an artisanal carpenter who shaped beauty with his hands, a musician who brought joy to children and friends through sing-along melodies, and a devoted caregiver whose quiet compassion extended to both people and animals alike. He could just as easily be found contemplating the mysteries of existence as he could be repairing something broken, building an airplane with his best friend, or tutoring his grandchildren.
His spiritual journey reflected that same openness. A practicing Buddhist for many years, he approached life with mindfulness and reflection, while still honoring and maintaining a connection to his Catholic roots.
Family was the heartbeat of Jeff’s life. He shared a deep and enduring love with Natasha, whose recent passing he carried with quiet strength. He adored his stepdaughter Kristina and found immense joy in his grandchildren, Sophia and Benjamin, who brought light and laughter into his world.
In his final months, Jeff returned to Pittsburgh, drawing close to the people who first knew and loved him. Surrounded by family, he spent cherished time with his mother, Rose Mary; his sisters, Deb and Elaine; and his brothers, Bob, Larry, Shawn, Jerry, Stephen, and David. Jeff was predeceased by his father, Robert J. Rau. Even as he faced Parkinson’s disease, he did so with grace, presence, and an enduring gentleness that defined his life.
Jeff will be remembered as a man who lived with intention—who followed his curiosity wherever it led, who built and created with care, and who loved deeply and without reservation. His adventurous spirit, innovative mind, and compassionate heart leave an imprint that will not fade. Although he will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him, in the spirit of the teachings lived by Jeff we remember that nothing is truly lost, only transformed.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, March 28 at 10:00 AM at St. Teresa of Avila Church, 1000 Avila Court, Pittsburgh, PA 15237.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jeff’s memory to the Dzogchen Center at dzogchen.org.
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When I think of Jeff, I think first of all as the character of Piskarev in the Slavic Department’s production of Gogol’s Nevsky Prospect nearly 50 years ago. That was a magical time of life. We lost touch until he miraculously turned up at a friend’s home in St Petersburg, Russia some 20 years later, And we lost touch again. So sad to have heard of his physical suffering and death. He was a soul who actively engaged with all the poetry of life.