Edward J. Rathjen

Edward J. Rathjen Passed away February 8, 2010. He was 89 years old and a resident of Santa Clara Valley for 55 years. Edward was born in New York City on September 29, 1920. The son of Albert and May Rathjen. Ed was the first person in his family to graduate from High School and College. Ed's basketball career was one of the high points of his life. He was recruited by Basketball Hall of Fame Coach Clair Bee and was part of the famous undefeated team at Long Island University of 1939. Edward served his country in the Air Force during WWII and eventually moved to California to become a pioneer in physical rehabilitation. He was a colleague of Margaret Knott at the California Rehabilitation Center in Vallejo. With his knowledge of neuromuscular facilitation techniques, Ed developed a unique skill set at Vallejo and helped people with physical disabilities for the next 60 years. A graduate student of Stanford University School Physical Therapy, then Governor of California Ronald Reagan nominated Ed to be a integral part of guiding the laws of Physical Therapists in the State of California. He received a fellowship for rehabilitation research from Health, Education and Welfare and worked in Northern India. For more than 50 years Edward was a pioneering physical therapist in San Jose, having had his own private practice helping thousands of families and quietly donating his time when needed. He started the American Physical Therapy Association's District Chapter in San Jose, and served as President. He also served as National Chairman of the Private Practice section of the A.P.T.A. and presented papers at many National Conferences. He served as Vice President of the United Cerebral Palsy Chapter in San Jose. Ed's life was one that was focused on treating others as you would want to be treated yourself. He had an uncommon practice of helping those equally based on need and not on money. Ed loved to travel and loved to share his adventures of traveling the world. For many years he considered the Island of Kauai to be his second home. Edward loved his 49ers, and was a long time S.F. Giants season ticket holder. His large healing hands, big smile and loving spirit were always welcome wherever he went. He is survived by four sons; Tom of Sunnyvale, Gary of San Francisco, Mark of Santa Cruz, Ken of Studio City, and grandchildren Adriana, Gregory, Nick, Drew and Kielan.