Injured teacher's life saved by insurance agents

By: Casey Nolen

KSDK -- A long time, and well liked North St. Louis County teacher and coach is in intensive care at SSM DePaul Health Center in Bridgeton dealing with some very serious injuries, but grateful for some unlikely rescuers who may have saved his life.

Richard Rauch spent more than 30 years teaching the skills of communication, and perfecting the art of teaching -- in the classroom at Hazelwood Central High School and on the court coaching championship tennis and basketball teams.

"Next to my parents, he's probably the biggest influence in my life," says former student David Creasy.

"I learned a lot of stuff from him," says Creasy. "And it's applying to my life right now."

Creasy and others who Mr. Rauch touched as a mentor, are now coming to be by his side.

Tuesday, the 79-year-old fell down the stairs in his Florissant home, breaking his neck.

For the next two days, the man who spent his life communicating couldn't reach out to anyone for help, and couldn't move from the bottom of the stairs.

"I could not attract anybody," said Rauch from his hospital bed. "I was in extreme pain, and I knew what hell was like -- to be isolated."

Paralyzed on the floor, Rauch was holding on to one hope -- an appointment on Thursday morning with two insurance agents who were scheduled to come to his house.

"I was on the floor praying that they would come on time," said Rauch.

They did, and when they arrived they heard Rauch crying for help and call 911. Doctors say their timing may have saved his life.

"I'd hate to think how I would be, because I was nearly driven to the edge of madness," says Rauch.

Now family and former students are looking after him, and trying to help him with his recovery.

"Boys, I'm so glad you were able to come over, it means a lot to me," said Rauch to Creasy and another student by his bed.