Journal of A Country Gentleman

About the Book

Tranquilize your mind for a few minutes when you read one of Raffauf's short stories or articles.
Sometimes humorous, once in a while frustrating and occasionally about his Plain friends, but never vulgar or in bad taste. Enjoy reading about the observations of his animals and the earth as he walks the land, tries to outwit wild intruders and predators and interpret the actions of his creature companions.

Richard Raffauf writes about returning to nature and a simpler way of life closer to the earth. He raises sheep and chickens on his 18-acre farm in Berks County, PA. Canada Geese visit each year and he raises Koi in his ponds. Discover the joy and wonder Raffauf feels when witnessing the birth of a new lamb. Read about real life visits from predators in the chicken coop and the ponds. Enjoy the exploits of Jean and Red, Border Collies, his sheepdogs and constant sidekicks.
Frequently Raffauf includes photographs of his animals and their newborn, activities around the farm and the lifestyle of the Amish and Mennonite friends who have long before the author discovered this simple, pleasurable lifestyle.

About the Author

Richard S. Raffauf, Sr. was born in Bridgeport, CT Dec 26, 1920 and lived in the city for about 12 years when his family moved to the suburbs. He always enjoyed his visits to the farm owned by family friends while he was growing up. He knew that when he was able, he would own land himself and eventually acquired the present 18-acre property in rural Berks County, PA where these observations and stories originate.

Mr. Raffauf attended the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Finance in Philadelphia PA. He held positions in cost accounting for several firms in and around the Reading, PA area during his working career including Fairy Silk Mill, Reading Tube Corporation and Gilbert Associates, Inc. During World War II, he spent three and a half years in the Army in the Pacific Theater, going all the way into Japan.

Married to his sweetheart, Joan, in 1940 they raised two children, a daughter, Sue, and a son, Richard Jr. Sadly, Joan passed away in 1991 leaving a great void in Richard's life.

Mr. Raffauf started his own business, Industrial Consortium, Inc., in 1971 and is still active in its operations today as President. Richard Jr. oversees the daily work as Vice President. Industrial Consortium manufactures probes for automatic blood analysis equipment, critical parts for military applications under government contracts and various other small parts.

Mr. Raffauf's writing career has blossomed later in life and that bloom brings us the Journal of a Country Gentleman. Originally started as a family e-mail newsletter to share with those nearest him his joy and wonder of the country lifestyle and of the various creatures with which he shares space, the mailing list soon grew to include many business associates and casual acquaintances too. Suggestions and encouragement from those readers resulted in this, his first, published work. The only formal training in writing Mr. Raffauf has is a course in writing for children and teenagers at the Institute for Children's Literature in Redding, CT.