Arthur "Skip" Rathje III
Arthur "Skip" Rathje III Obituary
Arthur “Skip” Rathje III went home to Jesus on July 16, 2021.
Skip was born to Arthur and Helen Rathje on July 19, 1961 in Valley Stream, New York. He comes from a family of four with his sister, Karen Schroder. They summered on Long Island where Skip learned to be an amazing boater and an even better man. He made many friendships throughout childhood, high school and college to which he remained loyal to the very end. He was a man’s man; the best friend anyone could ever have.
He met his wife, Karen, in 1987. They married on September 6, 1992 and went on to have two daughters, Jennifer (27) and Kelly (24). They built a tight-knit family and a loving home together in Scituate, MA.
Skip had a way about him that others so easily fell in love with him after just being around him for a few minutes. He was a present and very loving father. He loved his wife, Karen, deeply. He cherished her and was her best friend. He always had “I love you” and “I’m so proud of you” at the tip of his lips. Skip wasn’t the loudest voice in the room, but when he spoke, all leaned in. He was the life of the party.
Skip owned Global Green Lawncare and co-owned Game On Sports Surfaces. He was a driven entrepreneur; He had an unmatched work ethic and was a man of integrity. Every employee he hired that came in as a boy looked at the way he lived and came out as a man. He was a brilliant mentor to many.
Skip loved the USA. He was passionate about Alabama Football + the Dallas Cowboys. He’ll be remembered as being most at home on the ocean; he loved to kiteboard, surf and boat. He was a simple, strong and good man. His life was marked by generosity. He loved the Lord and was a member of his local church.
Skip fought brain cancer with tenacity, resilience and courage. He was welcomed home to Heaven by Jesus and joined his mother and father there. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and loved ones. He knew how to make moments matter, and because of that, he impacted many lives.
More information regarding arrangements will be shared in the coming weeks by the Rathje family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to his daughter Kelly’s fundraising efforts, who will run the Boston Marathon on October 11, 2021 in support of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and in remembrance of her father.
