WARD ATLEE RATHBONE JR.

On December 31, 2014, with the love and support of his family by his side, Ward Atlee Rathbone Jr. passed away peacefully at Richland Rehabilitation Center in Richland, WA at the age of 92.  Ward was born April 4, 1922, in Detroit Michigan, the first son of Laura Rathbone and Ward Rathbone Sr.  At the age of 2, Ward and his family moved to Miami Florida where he was raised and spent most of his adult life.  

As a child, Ward experienced Miami as a small town, walking from his home in the suburbs to downtown, fishing for Snook in the Miami River, and camping on Key Biscayne when it was still undeveloped and the only access was by small boat.  From an early age, Ward had a keen interest in airplanes and in flying.  He regularly built and flew model airplanes throughout his childhood.  Ward graduated from Miami High School, and attended the University of Miami for 2 years studying aeronautical engineering before joining the Army Air Corps in 1942 to be trained as a pilot for the B24 “Liberator.”  During 1944 – 1945, as part of the 15^th Air Force, 451^st Bombardment Group, Ward flew on numerous missions out of Castellucio Air Field, near Foggia, Italy against industrial targets in Eastern Europe.

After the war, Ward worked as a flight instructor for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical School in Miami, where he met his future wife Dorothy.  They were married November 23, 1949, purchased one of the first homes on Key Biscayne in 1950 and began to raise a family.  During the Korean War, Ward was called upon to serve as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, returning to civilian life immediately afterwards to continue raising a family with Dorothy and begin work as a commercial airline pilot.   Their son Bruce and daughter Leslie were born in 1951 and 1955 respectively and raised on Key Biscayne.

During his career as a commercial pilot for Airlift International, Ward flew numerous aircraft including the Douglas DC7 and DC8 as well as Boeing 707 and 727.   He routinely flew to many countries in Europe, Asia and South America.   

Ward and Dorothy were long time active members of Key Biscayne Community Church, where their children also attended from an early age and were confirmed.  They were also members of the Key Biscayne Yacht Club, and Key Biscayne Beach Club.  A longtime resident of the Village of Key Biscayne, Ward was outspoken in his later years on Village zoning and land use planning issues.  Ward’s friends and neighbors remember him as a devoted husband, and a kind and giving human being, always helping others in need.  An ardent do-it-yourself kind of guy, Ward would often forgo maintenance on his own home, in order to make repairs at his church or help elder friends and neighbors who may have been indisposed or without means.  

At the age of 85, shortly after Dorothy passed away, Ward reluctantly sold his home of 58 years and said good bye to his many friends on Key Biscayne and moved to Richland Washington to be near his son and family.  He immediately took a liking to Richland and the great Northwest.  Ward soon joined Shalom United Church of Christ where he became an active participant, and made many new friends.  

Ward has always given freely of both his time and money, contributing generously to his church, neighbors, and many charities.  Ward was a member of our greatest generation, yet a humble man who felt blessed and thanked the Lord for each day he had been given to live.   In the face of illness and adversity, he tried to live each day with grace, and to do the right thing in all circumstances.  He was much loved by family and friends and will be missed greatly.

Ward is preceded in death by parents Laura Rathbone and Ward Rathbone Sr., brother William Rathbone, and wife Dorothy Rathbone.  He is survived by his son Bruce Rathbone, daughter-in-law Lora Rathbone, daughter Leslie Chivers, son-in-law Scott Chivers, and grandchildren Caitlin Rathbone, Brian Rathbone and Heather Chivers.

A memorial service will be held 10:00 am, Saturday, February 14, 2015, at Shalom United Church of Christ, 505 McMurray Street, Richland, WA 99354, phone (509) 943-3927.  The Family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to UNICEF or a charity your choice.