Saying he has never seen anything quite like it, Emporia Church of Christ Pastor Neil Taylor stated that the outpouring of support and compassion for Riverside Elementary Teacher Rebecca Rauber from the time she went missing until she was found Sunday illustrates how deeply she impacted the community throughout her life.
Pastor Taylor’s comments came during an evening prayer service honoring Rauber’s memory just 24 hours after she was found deceased. The service, held inside Emporia’s Church of Christ Monday evening, saw several friends, colleagues and family members share memories and offer words of healing in the aftermath of her passing.
Among those to speak Monday, was fellow Riverside teacher Brandi Taylor, who said Rauber was an individual who cared for everyone.
Brandi Taylor also offered prayers for Rauber’s family and her students, who will return to class Tuesday.
Pastor Taylor shared in these prayers of comfort, saying Rauber’s passing was “not fair,” and acknowledged the various emotions those closest to her must be feeling at this time saying whatever they may be feeling at this time, “It’s okay.”
Rauber had spent about 30 minutes at Town Royal late Friday night before leaving the tavern without her jacket, cell phone, or purse. Temperatures were in the single digits with wind chills approaching -15 when she left. Wind chills stayed at -10 or lower into Sunday morning. Emporia Police officers say Rauber was found in a wooded area near the 700 block of West Fourth, near an area where she had last been seen on video footage. Officers used a search dog Saturday along with K-9 units from K-9 Search and Rescue of Kansas and a drone Sunday to help with the search, and there had been plans for a community search effort, but that was canceled. Officers currently say Rauber may have developed hypothermia shortly after leaving Town Royal and there were no signs of foul play.
Funeral arrangements are currently pending.
Other efforts are underway to honor Rauber’s memory. 10 West Grill + Dive Bar is having a spaghetti dinner fundraiser during operating hours of 11 am to midnight Wednesday. Suggested donation is $10 a plate. All proceeds will be donated to Rauber’s family.
