A CELEBRATION OF JOSHUA LEE RAU

    My name is Lisa Weida.  My family and I have had the pleasure of being a friend of the Rau family for many years.  I initially knew the Raus through church and because I was working in the office and the health room at the elementary school that Josh and Tiffany attended.
    For some of you, Josh has been a part of your life since his birth.  Others of you may remember where you met Josh.  Some of you may not remember exactly when Josh came into your life.  But if you knew Josh at all, I know he is in your heart today.  And for those of you here this morning that did not personally know this fine young man, I think that after today you will.  And your life will be enriched just knowing the spirit of Joshua Rau.
    Believe it or not, although it was about fifteen years ago, I distinctly remember the day I met Josh.  I was working at Lincoln Elementary School.  I met Josh in his first grade classroom while he was hiding under his desk refusing to come out.  What happened was that Josh had not put his name on one of his papers.  To help him remember to write his name in the future his teacher asked him to write his name 25 times.  But you see unknown to the teacher, Josh had difficulty with language processing.  Asking Josh to write his name 25 times was like asking him to write his name a million times.  So Josh retreated under his desk and he would not come out until his mother came to school and talked him out.  I remember he was holding his ground.  He was not coming out until he was sure that the assignment had been dropped. 
    But don’t be misled.  Josh worked hard at school.  I know Josh’s teachers and tutor will attest to the fact that Josh was one of their hardest working and most conscientious students.  In spite of his great struggle to read and to write, Josh was an academic success.  He was in the Junior National Honor Society, he was a People to People Student Ambassador to Australia and New Zealand, he was in Who’s Who Among American High School Students for two years.
    Josh’s wonderful parents have always provided what Josh needed.  They helped him stand but courageously stepped back when Josh wanted to stand on his own.  Kim and Rick certainly taught their children to fly.  Kim and Rick were the foundation of a young man with an honest and strong moral character.  Josh’s family was so important to him.  He loved his mother and father and his beloved sister, Tiffany.  He loved all of his extended family.  Josh had a zest for life and especially loved the outdoors.  He loved everything from fishing by himself to snowboarding with his uncle in Colorado.  As a boy, Josh would catch two or three crawfish in the stream running through his yard and ask his mom to clean and cook them and add them to the meal.  And she did.
    Sweet Josh.  This twenty-year-old man had an amazing resume.  I’ll just touch on some the main points…  During Josh’s high school years he worked in stone masonry and historical restoration.  The American Red Cross certified Josh in Community First Aid, AED (emergency defibrillation), Life Guarding, and CPR for the Professional Rescuer.   Josh was certified in Search and Rescue, certified as a Rescue Diver, and was a certified Advanced Open Water Diver.  As a SCUBA diver Josh dove the Great Barrier Reef, Key West, and Cozumel.  Last summer Josh stayed up at college to work for the Adirondack Watershed Institute as a diver in Upper Saranac Lake. 
    Josh was by nature a kind, thoughtful soul.  Whenever he saw me carrying something he would always ask, “Can I give ya’ a hand with that, Mrs. Weida?”  Josh was not an Eddie Haskel – just seeking favor with the adults.  He truly did not mind pitching in and helping out.  It never seemed like an imposition to Josh.  One summer, Kim took off from work for three months and Kim, Josh, and Tiffany toured the United States in their family’s conversion van.  Rick, because of his work could not go along on the trip and I remember Kim telling me how much Josh relished trying to fill Rick’s shoes as Josh helped with the grown up chores.
    Those of you who knew Josh, knew he loved scouting.  In a minute, we will have the honor of hearing from Russell Klase, Josh’s Scout Master and friend. 
    Two years ago, when Josh applied to the Boy Scout Eagle Court of Honor, I had the delightful task of writing a personal reference for Josh.  And let me tell you it was an eeeasy task to write a good reference for Josh.  Permit me please in my closing, to read to you part of that reference letter. 
    I wrote, “Josh is well-mannered, treating his elders and his peers, with respect.  Further, he is gentle and understanding when interacting with children.  Josh has a generous heart and is always willing to help others.  He is by nature an empathetic person who pitches in when he sees a need.
    As a student, Josh successfully works hard at his academics and enjoys extracurricular activities, particularly civic-minded school clubs.  During group activities, he is a team player who can lead as well as work within the group dynamics.
    Josh is a fine young man of unquestionable character and integrity.   And it is with pleasure that I recommend Josh be awarded the honor of Eagle Scout.  I have no doubt that he has earned it.”

 Lisa Weida