Eric W. Rathje, of Warwick, NY (formerly of Mahwah, New Jersey), passed away on December 24, 2011 at St. Anthony’s Community Hospital. He was 80 years old.
Born on September 28, 1931 in Barklesby, Germany, he was the son of the late Marquardt and Eli (Nielsen) Rathje.
Mr. Rathje, a graphic artist, began his formal art studies at the Meister-schule in Flensburg, Germany at age 14. After immigrating to Canada in the early 1950’s he attended the University of Saskatchewan, in Saskatoon, Canada.
In the mid 1950’s, the opportunity to study at the Academy of Art in San Francisco led to a move to the United States until the middle of his first semester, when he was drafted into the U.S. Armed Forces. Mr. Rathje served with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers from 1956 to 1958 on active duty in Germany as an interpreter and draftsman; when he was off duty, he continued his art studies in the city of Wurzburg.
Back in the U.S. after his tour of duty, Mr. Rathje completed his studies in San Francisco and began a career in advertising in New York City. He worked as an Art Director and later Creative Director at some of the most prestigious N.Y. advertising agencies, winning many awards and honors for the fresh, clean, exciting graphic concepts he brought to visual communications. He became a Partner/Creative Director with Dugan Farley Communications in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
In 2005 he moved to Warwick where he served on the Warwick Grove Architectural Review Committee, actively participated in community events, and enjoyed the company of his many friends and neighbors. His disability was no barrier to an active lifestyle, and he could often be found in his motorized wheelchair at the pool, the gazebo in the park, or observing ongoing construction at a new homesite.
He is survived by his wife, June Carson, of Warwick; two daughters: Heidi Rathje of Marlton, NJ and Rebecca Murphy of Philadelphia, PA; a step-son, Matthew Carson of Schenectady, NY; and a grandchild, Samarra Murphy.
A Celebration of Eric’s Life will be held in the near future.