Last March, we mentioned here that my old friend Walt Rauch Walt Rauchhad suffered a stroke. Thanks to the many of you who passed along best wishes and prayers to Walt and his family.

I’ve learned that this past Thursday night, Walt passed away peacefully in his sleep. Our mutual friend Michael Bane mourns for him here.

As noted in the above links, Walt was the author of two valuable books. His years on the Philadelphia Warrant Squad, and with Secret Service before that, had given him a strong handle on survival tactics.  Involved early on in IPSC (the International Practical Shooting Confederation) whose American arm is USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association, Walt was also a co-founder of the National Tactical Invitational a quarter of a century ago, along with Hershel Davis and Skip Gochenauer. Twenty years ago, Walt was one of the prime movers in the founding of IDPA, the (International Defensive Pistol Association).

Walt Rauch, Jim Cirillo, Massad Ayoob
Walt Rauch, Jim Cirillo and Mas Ayoob

Walt and I had been friends for about 35 years. We met at the Bianchi Cup. Walt was one of the gurus, and though he sometimes came across as a curmudgeon, he was always happy to give advice to cops or armed citizens who asked. About 30 years ago when Ray Chapman and I were going around the country doing Advanced Officer Survival seminars for the Police Marksman Association, we invited Walt to be a guest speaker at the one sponsored by the Philadelphia Police Department.  His advice on subtleties of real world tactics captivated our audience of streetwise coppers from in and around Philly.

It has been a bad year for losing some of our finest gun experts.  Deepest condolences to Walt’s family and many friends.  We have all lost a tremendous resource.

11 COMMENTS

  1. Mas,
    Did I take that photo? Ah, memory’s the second thing to go.

    He was always there to give constructive criticism. I miss him terribly.

  2. I’ve only had the pleasure of knowing Walt 10 years or so. He always had time to talk and give advice. He would watch me shoot a stage and tell me what was right and how to fix what was wrong. I took a couple of his classes and learned alto. Walt was always happy to pass on advise on shooting and also on life. I will miss the talks we used to have. I know he’s still passing on advise in heaven to old and new shooters. Walt, you’ll be missed. God Bless.

  3. I’ve had the privilege of knowing, listening to, and shooting with Walt for decades. I always learned something from him each time. Best of all, I’ve had the privilege of calling him my friend.

    R.I.P., Walt.

  4. May I express my sincere sympathy and condolences of the passing of Walt. May he rest in peace with The Lord. My prayers go out to his entire friends.

    Looking at that photo of the three of you sitting there is significant to me. I have followed you and the late Jim Cirillo for literally decades my entire police career and then some. I’ve learned so much about shooting from you great trainers.

  5. That last photo posted in this posting of Mas, Walt and Jim is fantastic.

    Michael Bane sure had nice things to say about Walt too. Standing on the shoulders of giants…

  6. Walt was very generous with his time helping me get IPSC shooting started at Central Jersey Rifle & Pistol Club many years ago. He will be missed.

  7. I’ve read some articles written by Walt Rauch in Handgun magazine in 1998. Those were very informative to me, as I was beginning to learn about handguns. He once said in one of those articles he authored “so many guns, so little time”. Indeed so many guns, so little time for all of us. RIP Mr. Rauch.

  8. The passing of Walt Rauch is a grave loss for our community. Prayers and condolences to his family and friends.

    Thank you for posting this notice, Mas.

  9. Mas, please do let us know if you hear about anywhere to send donations in his memory–a few of us old hands from the AmBack days were just discussing this on the new forum over at Gun Hub.

    You’re missed, too, but we also know you keep busier than a one-legged man in a butt-kickin’ contest.

  10. Several years ago I bought a pistol through Gunbroker. I got an email from the seller during the transaction and discovered it was Walt Rauch. At the time I was like is this “the Walt Rauch”? Later I was able to confirm it was. Cool.

  11. Walt Rauch, was one of my favorite gun writers even be for I knew Walt was a Philly guy & one of Philadelphia’s finest.
    God Bless You, Walt

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