Aaron E Rash

Aaron E. Rash, 78, Bismarck, passed away on December 27, 2012, in Mesa, AZ. Services will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, January 3, at Zion Lutheran Church, 413 E Avenue D, Bismarck, with Rev. Michael J. Roehl officiating. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery, New Salem. Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm Wednesday, January 2, at Eastgate Funeral Service, Bismarck. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Aaron was born on March 11, 1934, to August Emil Rash and Ethel Minnie Camp Rash in New Salem, ND. He was reborn through the water of baptism on October 7, 1934. Aaron was raised on the family farm and educated in New Salem. Aaron married Darlene Nelson in 1956 in Lisbon, ND. Darlene passed away in 1989. Aaron married Phyllis Seidel Glum in 1998. Aaron attended North Dakota State Agricultural College and graduated in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. He is also a graduate of the Institute of Advanced Analytical Chemistry at Georgetown University. Aaron's additional graduate work includes work in pharmacology and chemistry from NDSU and the University of Akron, Ohio. He also attended numerous courses, seminars and workshops through the FDA, FBI Academy and other agencies. Aaron worked for the North Dakota State Laboratory and was supervisor of the Crime Lab and State Toxicologist until his retirement in 2000. Aaron received many awards including the Governor's Award for Excellence in Public Service 1986 and the Peace Officers Lone Eagle award 1990. Aaron was a member of many organizations including the Midwest Association of Forensic Scientists, American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, North Dakota Peace Officers Association and the International Association of Narcotic Enforcement Officers. Aaron enjoyed fishing and hunting. Since his retirement, Aaron and his wife, Phyllis, have enjoyed winters in Mesa, Arizona. Aaron was active with woodworking and wood carving. Aaron is survived by his wife, Phyllis; his five children, Amy Smith William of St. Louis, MO, Erin Stephen Berg, of Champlin, MN, Daniel Sharon Rash of Spokane, WA, Teresa Bopp of Fayetteville, AR and Kerry Rash of Sioux Falls, SD; his sister, Ethel Baumgarten of New Salem; four stepchildren, Gloria Schneider of Bismarck, Cindy Auck of Bismarck, Terry Seidel of Boulder, CO, and Jimmy Seidel of Omaha, NE. Aaron is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 8 step-grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren . Aaron was preceded in death by his first wife Darlene; his parents; his brothers, James H. and Francis; and his sister, Amy.

Aaron E Rash

March 11, 1934 - December 27, 2012