Rathe, John C. M.D. 1931-2014

RATHE, YOUNG, PFAFFLIN, CLIFTON

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 10/26/2019 at 11:44:54

John C. Rathe, M.D., 83, died Thursday, December 4, 2014, at his residence in Iowa City, Iowa.

Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 13th at the First Congregational Church (Moline, Illinois) -- followed by a light luncheon at the Church. Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Sunday, December 14th at the Guttenberg City Cemetery. An open house will follow at the Rathe home on Abel Island until 4:00 p.m.

Memorials can be made to CFGD/Dr. John Rathe Endowment, to support student scholarships.

John Charles Rathe was born Aug. 9, 1931, in Iowa City to Herbert W., M.D. and Dorothy (Young) Rathe. He was raised in Waverly, Iowa, where he developed his lifelong interests in photography, aviation, and the outdoors. John was an Eagle Scout and a YMCA camp counselor, and he graduated from Shattuck School in 1949. The generosity and sacrifices of his parents through the Great Depression and World War II profoundly influenced his life.

In 1953, John earned a B.A. in Chemistry/Zoology from Carleton College (Northfield, Minnesota) where he met the love of his life, Fern Pfafflin. They were married August 29, 1953, in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and enjoyed 60 years of marriage. John attended medical school at Columbia University in New York, graduating in 1957. An internship at King County Hospital in Seattle and a residency at Stanford University Hospital completed his training as a radiologist.

John and Fern settled in Moline in 1961 where they raised their four children and made their home for more than 50 years. John co-founded Moline X-Ray and worked at Lutheran Hospital, serving as president of the Lutheran Hospital medical staff and chief of radiology. He was part of a new era of radiology and radiation therapy. His proudest professional achievement was building the practice with his partners and bringing this level of service to the people of the Quad Cities.

John was a private pilot who held twin engine and instrument ratings. He and Fern, also a pilot, flew to many destinations in North and Central America. He loved to ski, hike, and scuba dive, and he always had a camera with him. For the past 45 years, he and his family have enjoyed rest and recreation on the Mississippi River at Guttenberg.

John was remarkably well-informed on a wide range of topics and could wire a house, plumb a bathroom, or build a garage with skill. Upon retirement, he worked with Habitat for Humanity and continued to travel the world with his wife.

His devotion to Fern was unparalleled, and their children all became successful adults due to his love, patience, humility, and ability to problem-solve.

John was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; his brother-in-law, James A. Clifton, M.D.; and his sister-in-law, Evelyn Rathe.

John is survived by his sister, Katherine Clifton of Iowa City and his brother, James W. Rathe, M.D. of Waverly; his children, Richard (Catherine) Rathe, M.D. of Gainesville, Florida, Mark (Simone) Rathe of Sacramento, Diana (Doug) Pray of Los Angeles, and Bruce (Suzanne) Rathe of Stevens Point, Wisconsin; and his grandchildren, Kaitlin, Lauren, Austin, Theron, Ellen, Sophia, and Anna.