Alan Rauch, 70, of Princeton passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Astoria, Queens, NY, on July 18, 1954, the youngest child of Grace and Julius Rauch. At a young age the family moved to Hollis Hills, Queens, and Alan was proud to call that home. Alan graduated from Martin Van Buren High School and later SUNY New Paltz with a BA in Biology. He then went on to obtain a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, NJ. After completing a residency at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (formerly Middlesex County Hospital), Alan established a solo dental practice in Somerset, NJ, where he treated patients for 40 years. Alan was beloved by his many patients, known for his kindness, generosity, and most of all skill as a “painless dentist.” Over the years Alan became active in the RV Tucker Gold Foil Study Group and passionate about the use of gold as a restorative dental material. In 2007, while still maintaining his private practice, Alan joined the faculty of Penn Dental Medicine as a Clinical Assistant Professor and held that position until 2021. His love of teaching was apparent to the many former students who continued to reach out long after their graduation.
In 1983 Alan met his future wife, Julie Bien, on a blind date set up by his brother-in-law Mark Sonnenshein. After a whirlwind courtship, Alan and Julie married on February 25, 1984. The couple welcomed their first child Rebecca in 1986, and she was quickly joined by brother Benjamin and sister Sarah. The family moved to Princeton from South Brunswick in 1990 and Alan resided there until the time of his death. Alan loved family life and was active for several years as a Little League coach for his son’s team. At Alan’s urging, the family traveled to many American national parks on their summer vacations. Alan loved the New York Yankees and accumulated a large baseball card collection. He was also an avid Lionel train enthusiast and spent many hours perfecting a home train layout. Over the years Alan used his carpentry skills on many types of home improvements and masonry jobs, with his crowning achievement being the Rauch family treehouse. Alan was very proud of his three children and never tired of hearing about their accomplishments. When the role of grandfather became his, Alan truly came into his own and reveled in spending time with Hannah, Emily, and Neil.
Alan is survived by his wife of 41 years, Julie Bien Rauch; his children Rebecca Rauch Hart (Benjamin Hart), Benjamin Rauch (Melissa Rauch) and Sarah Rauch; grandchildren Hannah Hart, Emily Hart, and Neil Rauch; sister Linda Sonnenshein; brother David Rauch (Evelyn Rauch); brothers-in-law Jeffrey Bien (Heather), Joseph Bien (Juel), David Bien (Maggie) and Andrew Bien (Betty); many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews; as well as a vast number of friends who supported him over the years. When Alan was diagnosed with a severe medical condition in 2021, several friends, Michael Mann, George Lane, and Robert Twomey, made sure that he continued to live life. Alan is predeceased by his parents Julius and Grace Esther (Katz) Rauch, and brother-in-law Mark Sonnenshein.
A Visitation will be held from 10:30 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home, 40 Vandeventer Avenue in Princeton, NJ. A Funeral Service will follow at 11 a.m. A graveside service for immediate family will be held at the Princeton Cemetery. Friends are encouraged to join the family for a luncheon reception at the Nassau Inn, Princeton, at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (give.myotonic.org/campaign/622795/donate) or to the charity of choice.
