Richard Rau (26 August 1889 – 6 November 1945) was a German SS officer and track and field athlete who competed in the 1912 Summer Olympics. He was eliminated in the semi-finals of the 100 m and finished fourth in the 200 m competition. He was also a member of the German relay team which was disqualified in the final of the 4 × 100 m relay after a fault with its second baton passing.