Reuben Frederick Rausch, formerly of Glen Spey, passed away while on active duty in the U.S. Air Force on July 11 at the age of 21, according to an obituary from Bennett Funeral Homes.

His family says he was known affectionately as “Rupes” and will be remembered for his passionate, adventurous spirit.

Reuben lived life to the fullest and enjoyed travelling to Colorado, Utah and California with his brothers and sisters.

Descending from a long line of musicians, Reuben, who grew up on Okeechobee Road in the Town of Lumberland, loved listening to and creating rap music. He was confident in himself and inspired by this rap lyric: “Their perception of who I am, won’t make me question who I am.”

Reuben is survived by his parents, Frederick and Shabnum Ara Rausch, and his eight siblings, Megan Gaye, Logan Rausch, Benjamin Rausch, Korbin Rausch, Lauren Minoletti, Adalynn Rausch, Clayton Rausch, and Juliann Rausch.

The family held funeral services at the West Chapel of Bennett Funeral Home in Glen Allen, Virginia, on Monday, July 27, followed by interment in Mt. Vernon Memorial Park with military honors.