Raymond Paul Rasch II

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Raymond Paul Rasch II, age 81, of Orange City, Florida. Paul passed away on September 21, 2024, at his residence in Orange City.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri and raised in Hollywood, California, Paul was an accomplished child actor who appeared under the stage name “Paul Sullivan” and performed in several prominent television shows in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including Father Knows Best, the Donna Reed Show, and the Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Paul also starred in “The Five Pennies” with Danny Kaye. His most famous role, however, was when he portrayed the original Wally Cleaver in the pilot episode for “Leave it to Beaver” released in 1957. In 1991 and 1993, his role as Wally appeared as part of a question on Jeopardy in the TV sitcoms category for $500: “In the pilot for this series, Ward was played by Casey Adams & Wally by Paul Sullivan” (answer: Leave it to Beaver).

In 1960, Paul graduated from Hollywood High School where he played on the tennis team and was a member of the Junior Red Cross. Just like his father, Paul was a talented pianist. He attended the University of Southern California’s School of Music for Piano Performance, a highly competitive and prestigious program. In 1973, Paul personally accepted his father’s Academy Award for Original Music Score, which his father composed alongside Charlie Chaplin for the movie “Limelight.” Until Paul’s death, he remained in possession of his father’s baby grand piano that was used to compose the Oscar winning score.

Paul was also a talented computer programmer and, for more than a decade, owned his own company selling software scheduling systems he designed himself. In 1998, Paul moved to Orange City, Florida and was actively involved in the local Rotary club and other civic organizations, including serving as a board member for his neighborhood HOA. For a short time, Paul served as an Orange City councilmember after being appointed to fill a vacancy by the Mayor of Orange City. He also was always willing and able to help family and friends, including all his son’s basketball teammates who simply knew him as Mr. Rasch, always available to provide a ride home to a teammate in need.

Paul loved scuba diving and his favorite place in the world was the island of Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. He was also a diehard USC football fan. Over the years, he attended many games with his son. His favorite player of all time was Charles White.

In his final years, Paul was an amateur photographer and planned to sell his prints online. He attributed his love of photography to his dad, as they never went anywhere without a camera. His primary photography interest was wildlife, namely birds, the ocean, and sports. He also enjoyed attending concerts and photographing various musicians, especially his favorite performer, Billy Idol.

Paul is survived by his children, Dana Rasch (Raymond Paul Rasch III), Honor Rasch-Gush, and Jaime Herman (stepdaughter); his grandchildren, Memry Rasch, Christian Gabriel Gush, Max Herman, and Sam Herman; and his brothers, Dana Robert Rasch and Danny Richards, Jr. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, Ray Rasch and Eloise Richards.