Dr. Ed Raether ’68 is a familiar and friendly face to many within the MSOE community. Whether he’s driving around the golf course at the President’s Golf Outing or attending a Regents meeting, Raether has remained a dedicated and active member of his alma mater for nearly 60 years.
“Supporting MSOE has always been a priority for Arlene and me because of the basic skills the professors instilled in me, which led to a successful 50-year career with two companies.”
Raether built a strong work ethic early on while helping out at a local farm and cheese factory near Lebanon, Wisconsin where his father was the cheesemaker. After graduating high school in 1954, a summer job opportunity at a factory in Ixonia, Wisconsin sparked his interest in engineering. He learned about MSOE from a school friend and with encouragement from his mom and brother, Raether decided to enroll.
As a mechanical engineering major in his freshman year, Raether thrived working on various machinery during his classes and workshops. Those skills were put to the test early, as the following year he left MSOE to serve his country in the U.S. Navy. Assigned to a repair ship in Norfolk, Virginia, he oversaw the tool room where he continued to hone the skills he learned at MSOE. After 22 months of service, he returned to Wisconsin in 1957 to marry his childhood sweetheart, Arlene.
They built their partnership on the foundation of love and a commitment to giving back what they could to the organizations they valued most. For Raether, that included MSOE. “From the day Arlene and I were married, we pledged to share 10% of our income with our church and many other organizations,” Raether recalls.
In December of that year, Raether joined Automatic Welding Co. in Waukesha, Wisconsin. He was responsible for installing large automatic welding machines and training their operators. Soon after, his role expanded, and he became the plant manager.
Raether returned to MSOE in 1964, taking evening classes to complete an industrial management degree. “The course work and the wonderful professors who taught me so much about management techniques led to a fantastic and rewarding career.”
He graduated from MSOE in 1968 and accepted a job at American Appraisal Associates, Inc. as a machinery and equipment appraiser. During his 40-year tenure with the company, he steadily rose through the ranks, becoming the vice president and managing director for Eastern Europe in 2000. In this role, he opened valuation practice offices across Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Russia and Germany. He also carried out valuation projects in 68 countries worldwide. He returned home in 2001 to work within the Industrial Valuation Division before retiring in 2008. He celebrated his career achievements with a retirement party on MSOE’s campus at the Grohmann Museum rooftop garden.
Throughout the years, Raether received multiple accolades for his accomplishments from MSOE, including the Master Key to Success, an induction into MSOE’s Wall of Distinction and an honorary Doctor of Engineering. “It was always humbling when I received these honors. It felt wonderful, and my education at MSOE was solely responsible for my success and accomplishments.”
Raether has also given his time to MSOE, previously serving as the Alumni Association Board president, MSOE Corporate Board member, and today is a member of the PGO Committee and the Board of Regents.
The Raethers have also remained steadfast in their philanthropic commitment to MSOE, their most recent gift supporting the Robert D. Kern Engineering Innovation Center, where the Biz Hub will be named in their honor.
“Seeing MSOE become one of the greatest universities in the U.S., and the success it gave me in my career, will always continue to motivate me to give back.”
