Randall (“Randy”) Bruce Rathje, 62, of Davenport, died peacefully at his home on Saturday, September 24, 2016 after a courageous battle with melanoma. Visitation will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, October 2, 2016 at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home, 614 Main St., Davenport. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, October 3, 2016 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2136 Brady St., Davenport.
Randall Bruce Rathje was born in Davenport on March 6, 1954, son of Gilbert L. and Wanda (Henning) Rathje. He grew up in Davenport, attending Davenport Community Schools and was actively involved in a variety of youth activities, but like all of his brothers, baseball was the sport of choice. He graduated from Davenport Central High School in 1972 where he participated in baseball, football, and basketball. He was a member of Central’s 1971 State Champion baseball team and captained the team his senior year. Following graduation, he enrolled at the University of Iowa and earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration.
In 1976, Randy met the love of his life, Susie Priester Rathje, and they were united in marriage on November 11, 1978 at the First Congregational Church, Moline. They were blessed with two wonderful children, Charlie and Katie, whom Randy adored.
Randy began his professional career within the Treasury/Finance department of the former Iowa-Illinois Gas & Electric Co. and held various positions of increasing responsibility during a 17-year career. Following the merger that formed MidAmerican Energy Co., he chose not to relocate and began a career in the financial services industry serving as an account executive with Merrill Lynch and then as a Trust Officer with Quad City Bank & Trust. In 1999, he was presented with an opportunity to return to an operating role and accepted a position as Chief Financial Officer of Lujack’s Northpark Auto Plaza for which he served until the sale of the dealership in 2007. He made a career transition in 2008 by starting a consulting business where he provided services to several local businesses and was instrumental in the facilitation of the merger of the Iowa and Illinois Quad Cities Chambers of Commerce. In 2014, he was delighted to be appointed the President/CEO of the Regional Development Authority (RDA).
Randy was extremely active in all types of athletics throughout his life. He thoroughly enjoyed coaching his children and their friends in YMCA soccer and basketball, and Little League and Pony League baseball. He took the lead in the Friends of Brady Street Stadium project, and was an avid supporter of the Blue Devil Athletic Foundation and Davenport Central High School Booster Club. Randy was a former member and past president of the Davenport Country Club, Davenport Quarterback Club, and a current member of Crow Valley Golf Club where he also served as a past president.
Randy was very dedicated to the community. He served as director of the Davenport Community Improvement Corp., Downtown Davenport Partnership Board of Directors, as a past Treasurer of the Friends of the Davenport Public Library, Junior Achievement Project Business volunteer, Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, and a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Besides his illustrious career, Randy was truly devoted to his family and friends. Those left to honor his memory include his loving wife of 37 years, Susan; children, Charles (Jessica) Rathje, Bettendorf and Katherine Rathje, Davenport; granddaughter, Audrey; brothers, James (Karen) Rathje, Bettendorf, and Eugene Rathje, Ottumwa, IA; father-in-law, Walter Priester; sister-in-law Ann (Mark) Collison, Marshalltown, IA, brother-in-law David (Julia) Priester, Charlotte, NC, nephews, and a niece.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Larry, and mother-in-law Nancy Dunn Priester.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Randy’s name to the Blue Devil Athletic Foundation, The University of Iowa Foundation to support the Melanoma Research Fund, or St. Paul Lutheran Church.
PDF Printable VersionVISITATION
Sunday October 2, 2016, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries All Faith Chapel
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FUNERAL SERVICE
Monday October 3, 2016, 11:00 AM at St. Paul Lutheran Church
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BURIAL
Monday October 3, 2016 at Oakdale Cemetery
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