Edwin David Rathbun, a celebrated doctor, academic, pilot, and philanthropist, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2025, in Odessa, Texas. He was 88.
He was born in Kansas City, Mo., to Harold Vernon and Minnie Belle Rathbun on June 13, 1936.
He graduated from Great Bend High School as a varsity tennis player.
He married Suzanne Matkin Dec. 16, 1967 in Liberal.
He graduated from The University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1962, interned at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Mo., and served his residency at Natividad Medical Center in Salinas, Calif. He was a Fellow of the American Association of Family Physicians.
Dr. Rathbun operated a private medical practice in Liberal. While operating his private practice, he performed general surgery, maintained a family medicine clinic and practiced obstetrics. He delivered more than 5,000 babies during his career.
In 1987, Ed and Suzanne relocated to Odessa, Texas, where he became a Clinical Associate Professor of Family Medicine for the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine until 1999. He then served as a Family Practice and Emergency Room Physician for Iraan General Hospital in Iraan, Texas, until retiring in 2012. Throughout his medical career he served the Federal Aviation Administration as a Senior Aviation Medical Examiner, performing thousands of flight physicals.
He served in the Kansas Air National Guard as a Flight Surgeon, being activated into the U.S. Air Force during the USS Pueblo Crisis, serving at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, as a Major in the 184th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
He was involved in countless organizations and excelled in varied hobbies: award-winning photographer, calligrapher, cyclist, sailor, boat builder, skier, and rabbit hunter. A lover of music, he sang in choirs and could harmonize on the spot, and collected albums ranging from Dvorak to Don Shirley. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in his youth, which led to many leadership activities as an adult, mentoring youth to the same achievement, including his three sons. He began taking flight lessons during medical school and was ultimately certificated as a Commercial Multi-engine Instrument Pilot, as well as a Private Pilot in Gliders. Ed earned the World Air Sports Federation (FAI) Diamond Badge, the highest achievement available to glider pilots. His love of aviation was shared by his sons and older grandchildren.
Ed is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Bill Rathbun; and son, David Rathbun.
Ed is survived by his wife of 58 years, Suzanne; son, Daniel and wife, Wendy of Odessa, Texas; son, Douglas and wife, Michelle, of Wellington, New Zealand; daughter-in-law Lesley Rathbun of Duluth, Minn,; grandsons: Parker, Garrett, Andrew, and William Rathbun; and granddaughter: Alexandra and husband, Jeremy Pantalion of Dallas, Texas.
o No services are scheduled at this time. Private family services will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, gifts-in-memoriam may be made to honor his passions for music, education, and aviation: the Midland-Odessa Symphony; the UTPB Dr. Edwin and Suzanne Rathbun Endowed Scholarship in Nursing; the High Sky Wing of the Commemorative Air Force; or any charity of your choice.
Paid obituary
