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David R. Rathburn
1957 - 2024
David R. Rathburn
1957 - 2024
Obituary
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David Rathburn Obituary
David was comforted during his battle with cancer by knowing what came after his life on earth, and rejoices in being at home with his Lord and Savior.
David was an accomplished businessman and entrepreneur. He became President of Hopeman Brothers Marine Interiors at age 33, founded US Joiner, and owned Glenmore Country Club and a thriving real estate rental business in the Outer Banks, as well as other smaller angel investments. He managed his personal affairs and businesses in accordance with his philosophy for life - in order of importance: Faith, Family, Friends, Finances; and in everything you do, Fun.
Few people were more competitive than David - he always gave his best effort. He found his outlet later in life through competition on the golf course, and particularly enjoyed playing in Scotland and Ireland. For more than 20 consecutive years he and a special group of friends traveled to Myrtle Beach for a golf marathon that covered up to nine rounds in five days, and no one enjoyed it more. He lived life at a pace few could maintain.
David believed that he had an obligation to share the blessings that had been bestowed upon him. Most important to him was his alma mater, Grove City College, Class of '79. He served on its board for 25 years and as its chair for 17 years, and was named Chair Emeritus and awarded an honorary doctorate.
David found great joy in helping people and invested in Christian education domestically as well as around the world. He believed that the solution to the challenges that the world faces today was a return to the commitment of faith in God. David served as a ruling elder at First Presbyterian of Charlottesville and on the board of Junior Achievement of Augusta County, was past Campaign Chair and President of the Waynesboro and East Augusta United Way and was a current member of the board of the Virginia Institute of Autism. He truly believed in the concept of paying it forward.
David traveled to all 50 states, six continents and 48 countries, and particularly enjoyed the opportunity to join with family and friends to experience new adventures.
He loved all Pittsburgh-based and University of Virginia sports teams, and was fortunate to have been in attendance to watch the Pirates win a World Series, the Steelers win a Super Bowl and UVA win the NCAA Basketball Championship.
David was preceded in death by his mother Flora Rice Rathburn and his father Donald Rathburn. He credited both for his foundation of faith, hard work and the importance of relationships and giving back.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Grove City College David Rathburn Scholarship Fund, 200 Campus Drive, Grove City, PA 16127. A celebration of David's life will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, VA on Friday, February 16, 2024 at 10:00 AM as well as on the Grove City College campus on September 12, 2024.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jeff Wampler
July 1, 2025
Happy Heavenly Birthday David.
You were an Excellent Friend.
Angelle Kettlewell
March 14, 2024
David was a giver at his core. He was upfront about his philanthropic priority being Grove City College and still supported many other meaningful organizations throughout his life. It was an honor and pleasure to work with him to support other colon cancer patients through a gift at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. More than his giving, I was impacted by David's life philosophy which I will carry with me forever.
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Jeff & Liz Wampler
February 12, 2024
I worked for Dave at Hopemen Brothers. I was just a Maintenance Technician, but to Dave that did not matter. He became an Exceptional Friend. He always had time to speak, and joke around with me. I always admired him for that. My Heart is heavy to learn of his passing. May God provide Comfort to his Family, during these Dark Hours.
Godspeed, Dave Rathburn.
Jack Snyder
February 10, 2024
Spring Creek Member-Guest. David was involved with a rules infraction. He and I came to an understanding of the situation. This led to a friendship, and he eventually hired me to run his Glenmore Country Club. He was competitive and loved playing golf with his son Mark and his lifelong friends. We will one day be together again in the presence of our Lord!
Robb Jones
February 10, 2024
David and I knew each other for over 18 years, but I felt I knew him long before then because we shared the mentoring and friendship of David Lascell, my former law partner. Lascell often told me about the "young" Grove City graduate who he worked with at Hopeman Brothers and who had just become the chair of Grove City´s Board of Trustees. He kept telling me that I should meet Rathburn, which was part of Lascell´s larger goal of getting me more involved with the College. (Lascell and I had litigated the Grove City Title IX case together and he knew of my graduation from Grove City and my family´s long relationship with the College.) As Lascell and I continued to talk about College issues, David Rathburn´s name often came up as, in Lascell´s view, a thoughtful person and solid leader.
I finally met David at a Grove City alumni function held March 2005 at Richmond´s Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. My wife and I were newly married at the time and this was her first exposure to a Grove City College event. I was a little nervous about how it would come off. I should not have worried. Displaying his wonderful sense for people, David charmed my wife and we talked about things we had in common - the College, Charlottesville, and our mutual work with Albert Hopeman, who had died a few years earlier.
I went away thinking first, that Lascell´s character judgment was as good as ever, and, second, that this Rathburn was someone I was glad I had met and was happy to see take a College leadership position. He made that kind of first impression.
We didn´t meet again until five years later, but I often heard about David and the College through my frequent talks with Lascell, who himself was a trustee of the College. Our 2010 meeting happened at a bagel shop in McLean, Virginia, as part of my vetting as a prospective Grove City College trustee. David had scheduled a meeting nearby and we arranged to meet at the bagel shop as a convenience to him. I don´t remember details about our conversation, although it must have gone okay. In any event that began a friendship that continued through all the years up until his death.
After my first few trustee meetings, I was impressed as to how deftly David handled his role. I had served under former Chief Justice William Rehnquist, who displayed the whip hand while efficiently chairing board meetings. David ably combined efficiency with a more collaborative personal touch. I also saw how much he had learned from Lascell, who we later agreed had mastered the leadership art of reconciling competing views by appealing simultaneously to common sense and first principles. That´s not easy to pull off, but both "Davids" could do it.
Equally important, I saw through many examples, repeated over the years, how committed David was to his faith, to the College´s mission, and how hard he worked to deliver on those commitments. David also had that natural "radio voice" and he demonstrated a commensurate ability to deliver clear messages and inspire at the same time.
Allow me a personal example. Around 2011 he asked me to chair the College´s Investment Committee, a task that continues to this date. My response was that although I knew a lot about the law, there were many other trustees who knew far more about finance and investment than I did. He replied, "Yes, but you know how to run a meeting and I can trust your judgment." That, along with David´s sterling example, inspired me to improve my knowledge, skills, and commitment. I´m sure his similar interactions with many others had the same effect. There´s no way you want to disappoint someone who sets the high example that he set.
Those aspects of David´s life and service best state his legacy, over and above even the courage, grace, and faith he showed through his long illness. I will miss him dearly, but I am most grateful to be able to thank him for all that he has done and express my appreciation for how he has positively influenced those around him, Grove City College, and me.
Boo and Gary Greene
February 10, 2024
Such a nice and incredible person! Prayers and condolences for his family! He will surely be missed!
Ginnie Gillen
February 9, 2024
I remember the wonderful trips he included us on. I remember his sense of humor and generosity.
Major & Mrs Richard Senter
February 8, 2024
Wonderful weekend visit last spring.
Harry Carpenter
February 8, 2024
I lived with Dave at the "Hole" my senior year at GCC. Those were good times! My condolences to his family.
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