Lewis Rathbun

Lewis Standish

Rathbun, MD

Asheville - Beloved Asheville physician Dr. Lewis Standish Rathbun, age 101, died on April 11th at his home at Deerfield Retirement Community.

Dr. Rathbun was born in 1913 in Canandaigua, New York. He grew up in the nearby farm community of Phelps, New York, where the values of church and community became guideposts of his life. Interested in medicine from boyhood, he accompanied the family doctor as he made house calls. Lew sat in the car and discussed the case with the doctor between stops. He studied pre-med at Hamilton College, graduating in 1935 and graduated from Harvard Medical School, Class of 1939. "I wanted to be the best doctor I could be," Dr. Rathbun wrote in his memoir, A Doctor All My Life (Grateful Steps, 2009).

During his studies at Harvard, Dr. Rathbun chose obstetrics and gynecology as his specialty. "The birth of a baby is usually a happy event," he said, and he was honored to make it his life's work. As his patients attest, it was a good choice for the kind and compassionate doctor. He was known for his sensitivity to patients' concerns, caring manner, and wise advice.

During his internship at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY, Dr. Rathbun met Betty, an operating room nurse, on a blind date. They were married on September 14, 1940. He completed his residency at hospitals in Boston, delivering his first baby in the city's tenements. From 1944-1946, Dr. Rathbun served in the US Navy Medical Corps in the Pacific Theater. He completed his Navy service at the Atlanta Naval Air Station. Subsequently, he was recruited by the Norburn Clinic in Asheville, moving here in 1947. Later, he established a private practice in obstetrics and gynecology until his retirement.

Among his many career accomplishments was the establishment of Asheville's first prenatal clinic for indigent women. He believed that everyone should have access to excellent medical care, regardless of race or economic status. Recognized by his colleagues for his ability to handle difficult obstetrical and surgical cases, he was elected Chief of Staff at both Mission and St. Joseph's Hospitals. He was president of the North Carolina OB/GYN Society and served on the executive board of the South Atlantic OB/GYN Society. In 1979, the Buncombe County Medical Society honored Dr. Rathbun with its "Outstanding Physician" Award, and in 2006 he received the "Founder's Day" Award from Mission Hospital. In 2011 he was named one of "Asheville's Living Treasures."

Part of his legacy was the founding of Life After Cancer, a counseling center for cancer patients, in the 1970s. Together with Asheville psychologist Don Boone and other volunteers, Dr. Rathbun held free support groups on Saturday mornings, his day off. The groups flourished, were incorporated as a nonprofit, and later became part of Mission Hospital. Dr. Rathbun devoted countless hours to the organization and was gratified to see his methods validated by research. After retirement he continued to keep up with advances in cancer treatment and the latest research.

In 1994, his work came to the attention of local philanthropist and cancer survivor Adelaide Key, who had identified the need for a hospital hospitality house where patient families could stay free of charge, in Asheville. Learning of his many contributions to improve women's health, Adelaide named the Rathbun Center (now known as Mission Rathbun House) in Dr. Rathbun's honor. Dr. Rathbun served on its board since its opening.

Dr. Rathbun was an accomplished nature photographer and water color artist. His art received a number of awards from the American Physicians Art Association. During boyhood in the Finger Lakes region, he learned to sail and throughout his life he enjoyed being on the water. During the busy years of his practice, he took respite by canoeing into remote areas of Canada's Algonquin Park, and boating and fishing at Hilton Head Island and upstate New York. He particularly enjoyed cruises and sailing vacations. In his early 80s he joined the crew of a sailboat crossing the Atlantic to the Azores.

He served on many local boards including the Asheville Art Museum and helped to raise funds for Pack Place. He was a member of the Rhododendron Club and the Biltmore Forest Country Club, where he enjoyed getting together with friends until his recent health decline. He was also a member and elder of First Presbyterian Church. In 1973, Lew and Betty spent a month doing mission work at a hospital in Haiti. He later wrote that this experience shaped his generosity towards helping others.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Betty, and three daughters, Alexandra Kiefer and her husband John of Mills River, Linda Taylor and her husband Donald of Middleburg, Virginia, and Laurel Hunt of Asheville. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Christa and Susannah Eversman, Abbie Taylor, Alex Taylor (wife Julia), and Lizzie Dove (husband Colin) as well as four great-grandchildren. He was a loving father and grandfather who took joy in his family life and mentoring the next generation. He will be remembered for his kindness, generosity of spirit, and wise counsel.

The family extends its deepest gratitude to the devoted caregivers who assisted during his last years.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at First Presbyterian Church of Asheville, 40 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801. The family will receive friends from 5:30-7:30 PM on Monday, April 20, 2015 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian in Arden.

Memorials may be made to the Mission Rathbun House in care of Mission Foundation, 890 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville, NC 28803, or to a charity of your choice.

A memorial guest register is available online at grocefuneralhome.com.