Charles W. Rathbun

Charles Warren Rathbun of Woburn, MA passed away on May 11, 2022, at age 89.

On December 10, 1932, Charles was born in Malden MA to his parents Paul Malcom Rathbun and Edna Alice (Milliken) Rathbun.  Charles was raised in West Medford, MA with his younger brother Robert. As a young man he became deeply engaged in the study of music and developed into a consummate clarinetist, saxophonist and vocalist.  After graduating from Medford High School, he attended Boston University and worked briefly for an insurance company and the New England Sanitarium where he worked in Physical Therapy.  Charles then served our country as a US Army Medical Combat Trainer for two years in Fort Devins, MA during the Korean war and continued this role for another four years in the US Army Reserve.

While working at the New England Sanitarium, Charles and his future wife gave their hearts to Christ and became Seventh Day Adventists. On August 7, 1955, Charles married Eleanor Marie Daniels of Medford, MA.  He  completed his college education at Atlantic Union College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and History in 1959.

For the next 16 years Charles dedicated his life to Christian Education where he served as a teacher and often principal of various Seventh Day Adventist Schools including:  San Pasqual Academy in California, Hartford Seventh Day Adventist School in Connecticut, Culver Seventh Day Adventist School in Rochester, NY, Shenandoah Valley Elementary School in Virginia, and Greater Boston Academy in Stoneham, MA. During his summers, Charles was heavily involved in Church Camp Meetings, Church Youth Camps and Evangelistic Series.  With his specialty topics being the Bible, History and Music; Charles taught a full variety of subjects to his students and often served as choir and band leader. His dedication to students was felt by many and to this day many successful individuals continue to say, “Mr. Rathbun inspired me to pursue Music, Medicine, Education, Religious Leadership and more.”

Upon their return to MA in 1974, the Rathbun family had grown to a size of 8, with 6 children.  Since 1974, both Charles and Eleanor have been long standing members of the Stoneham Seventh Day Adventist Church, where he taught Sabbath School and sang for many years.

In 1975, Charles transitioned his career to work for the New England Memorial Hospital (formally known as the New England Sanitarium), spending most of his time in Data Processing, where he retired in 1998.

Throughout his adult life, Charles leveraged his teaching talents by conducting bible studies, tutoring, occasionally preaching and his absolute favorite, teaching Sabbath School.  He also leveraged his musical talents by singing in church, weddings, nursing homes, hospitals and even his senior center for the last three years. He also served as a singing evangelist, taught music lessons, and participated in multiple orchestras around New England and most notably the Woburn City Band.

Charles always enjoyed time with his family and church friends, studying, Boston sports teams and attending camp meeting. He was particularly interested in the Bible, reading, music and history where he was extremely knowledgeable about the American Revolution.  Through his many years involved in music, some of his favorites were classical orchestra music, Big Band Music (loved Glenn Miller), and religious music. He was also a prolific reader.

Charles was married to Eleanor for 64 years who preceded him in death in 2020.  He was also preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Reverend Robert Paul Rathbun of Lowell, MA.

He is survived by his six children, 1 sister-in-law, numerous nephews and nieces, 12 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren include son David Rathbun and his wife Gina; granddaughter Emily Wingate; son John Rathbun and his wife Jackie;  granddaughters Danielle Rathbun and Kelsey (Rathbun) Servi; great grandson Jack Servi; son Paul Rathbun and his wife Marilyn;  grandsons Kyle and Matthew Rathbun; daughter Martha Peddle and her husband Michael; grandson James Peddle; son Mark Rathbun and his wife Mary; granddaughters Kayleigh and Elizabeth Rathbun,  grandson Conner Rathbun; daughter Mary DeSantis and husband Michael; grandsons Nicholas, Tyler, and Jonathan DeSantis; great granddaughter Logan DeSantis; great grandson Taylor DeSantis.

Celebration of life visitation will be held on May 20, 2022, from 9:00 to 10:30 AM at Anderson-Bryant Funeral Home in Stoneham, MA and will be followed by an 11:00 AM service at the Stoneham, SDA Church.

He will be laid to rest on May 20  2022 at Woodbrook Cemetery (where his wife rests) on 100 Salem Street, Woburn, MA.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making donations in the name of Charles W. Rathbun to either Stoneham Seventh Day Adventist Church or The ALS Foundation .