Harold G. Rathmann of St. Louis, MO on Friday, November 22, 2019 at the age of 95. Beloved husband of the late Dorothy Rathmann (nee Kistenmacher). Cherished father of Patricia (the late Terry) Killian, Jim (Becky), Steve (Janet) and the late Michael Rathmann. Loving grandfather of Matt (Sarah) and Jon (Kelly) Rathmann, Jennifer (Bo) Bunton, Michelle and Andrew (Danielle) Rathmann and great grandfather of Brinley, Brooks and Sophia Rathmann and Kenley and Aubrey Bunton.
Funeral service to be held at Hoffmeister South County Chapel, 1515 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. Interment Mount Hope Cemetery. Visitation Monday, November 25 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Harold was born October 17, 1924 in Lemay, MO to Charles and Ellen (Moylan) Rathmann. Harold was the youngest of four children including older brothers Charles (Chip), Walter and sister Ruth. He attended Hancock Place schools from kindergarten through high school graduating in 1942.
In high school he played basketball, baseball, volleyball and softball. He also played baseball for St. George and that team won the city championship in 1941. In 1942 he was offered a contract by the Chicago Cubs. He turned down the contract since World War II had started and he wanted to serve his country.
Harold enlisted in the Army in 1943 and was assigned to the 8th Armored Division known as the Thundering Herd led by General George Patton. His division fought in the Battle of the Bulge, Rhineland, and Central Europe. In February of 1946 he was honorably discharged and returned home.
Before the war he had worked at the Federal Reserve Bank and returned to work there after the war. Later he took a job at the Bank of St. Louis and worked there for 37 years.
He married Dorothy Kistenmacher on May 10, 1947. They moved into his family home at 8509 Idaho to help take care of his father. After his father passed away they remained in the home and Harold lived there the remainder of his life until June of this year. They had four children: Patricia Killian (Terry deceased), Michael (deceased), Jim (Becky) , and Steve (Janet). Grandchildren Matt (Sarah), Jon (Kelly), Jennifer (Bo Bunton), Michelle, and Andrew (Danielle). Greatgrandchildren Brinley, Sophia, and Brooks Rathmann and Kenley and Aubrey Bunton.
In 1947 his brother Chip and other men started up a baseball team in the Muny League. Zigenheim Funeral Home was their sponsor and Chip was the coach. Harold played shortstop for the team for 7 years. Later Hoffmeister Funeral Home became the sponsor. In 1953 the team won the city Muny League championship. He later played on the Bank of St. Louis softball team. He also managed or coached many of his sons’ little league teams.
Harold was inducted into the St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991 and into the Hancock Sports Hall of Fame in 1993.
While playing for the Zigenheim baseball team, some of the men decided to form a club in order to have social activities in the off season. They named it the Z Club and Harold was a charter member and the first treasurer.
Harold always had a positive attitude and treated everyone with respect and courtesy. He was devoted to his wife Dorothy and his children. He loved watching his grandchildren participate in sporting events and dance recitals. He looked forward to spending Saturday afternoon at the Dry Dock with Vern, Tim, Al, Tommy and others.
Harold was respected by all, loved by many and will be missed by everyone who knew him.
