printed in The Enterprise, December 6, 1973

(picture)

DR. NORMAN RATHMANN DIED SUDDENLY SATURDAY MORNING

Dr. Norman K. Rathmann, one of four children of the late Mr. and Mrs. Gus Rathmann, was taken suddenly by death, while working at his desk in his Optometry Office in Blair, last Saturday morning, December __, 1973. He is survived by his wife, Fern Rathmann; a daughter, Mrs. Quentin Quist; a sister, Mrs. Elmer Dixon, all of Blair; and a brother, Wm. “Bill” Rathmann, M.D. of Los Angeles, California. There are also three grandchildren, “Jeff,” “Shelly,” and “Susan” Quist, all of Blair.

Dr. Rathmann is a native of Blair, born on August 12, 1904. He graduated from Blair High School in 1921 and then attended Dana College for two years. He had an avid interest in “ham radio” as a teenager and later as a young man, in the earliest day of radio. He constructed his own first radio as a boy, as well as a small, homemade radio broadcasting unit. His early aptitude was towards mathematics and electronics.

Following his two years at Dana, Dr. Rathmann matriculated at Stanford University, California, in an Electrical Engineering course - - studies he zealously pursued for two years, until he became afflicted with “vision problems.” A California specialist was able to correct his eye problems, which figured in Dr. Rathmann’s changing from “Engineering” to “Optometry.” He graduated from University of Southern California, and passed the California Board of Optometry in February of 1929. He returned to Blair, immediately thereafter, to open Blair’s first Optometrist Office.

Dr. Rathmann was married to Sybil Delinger, on Aug. 11, 1928. A daughter, Joan was born of this wedlock. Sybil Rathmann preceded her husband in death, passing away on November 7, 1960.

Dr. Rathmann married Fern Anderson, his second wife, at the Blair Christian Church, on August 16, 1961. She survived her husband.

“Doc” or “Norm” Rathmann, as his closest friends refer to him, leaves a legion of clients and good friends behind him. He led an active life, beginning as a youth, dividing time between working in his father’s Ford garage and his “hobby” of working with home radio broadcasting. He loved to hunt and swim near the Missouri River. He later became an airplane pilot and was a member of C.A.P. He was a long-time member of the Blair Rotary Club. He became a recognized and respected leader in the field of Optometry in this community and State, keeping abreast of the latest developments in this field; serving at one time on the Nebraska Optometry Board. He fought “on the front line” untiringly to help achieve a clear cut separation in the minds of people, between the need for both “medical men in the eye field” and “re-fraction” professionals in the Optometry field.

Dr. Rathmann loved to travel, particularly to Florida, California and Mexico; loved to play golf; loved to hunt mushrooms in the spring; and loved to play his piano and electric organ. He walked to and from work most days. He loved his home, his family, and his home town.

This community and area will miss Dr. Norman Rathmann. He lived a full life and enjoyed most of it. His last rites were held in The Methodist Church, Tuesday, December 4, Rev. Patterson presiding. He was interred in the Blair Cemetery.