Dr. David Oliver Rathke passed away late evening on September 22, 2022, after a two-plus year battle with brain cancer. David was born on January 18th, 1954 to John Hilliard Rathke and Margarette Oliver Rathke, in Freeport, Texas. After a number of years in Freeport, the family moved to Harlingen, Texas. During those early years, he spent many summer days in Huntsville with his grandparents, Big Daddy and Nana. In the summer of 1968, David moved to Huntsville with his family, and his Mom opened her fabric store, the Fabric Carousel. He learned to repair sewing machines and repaired many of them in the Huntsville area. David was a proud saxophone member of the Huntsville High School band and graduated HHS Class of 1972. He attended Sam Houston State University, Class of 1976, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. David ate many a lunch during college at Nana and Big Daddy's house. From there, he attended the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio Dental School, graduating in 1980. He worked for a few years as a dentist for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, while he began building his private practice in the evenings and Saturday mornings.

After a brief courtship, David married Pam Ryan, in September of 1985. They had known each other since high school, and finally started dating in March 1985. They brought two incredible sons into this world: Bryan in 1988 and Benjamin in 1994.

David was interested in and knowledgeable about many things. If you asked him a question, you'd better have some time to listen! He loved dentistry and caring for his patients. David took hundreds of hours of continuing education to keep up with the latest innovations in dental treatment. He was honored by his peers as a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry in 1999. He was so excited when his older son, Bryan, joined his practice in 2015, and enjoyed practicing with him. He learned from the young doctor's fresh education, while the young doctor learned from the senior doctor's many years of experience. David had a deep appreciation for his dental team, treating them more like family than simply as employees.

David also loved many things outside of dentistry. He loved music of all genres, from classical to bluegrass, folk to pop. He taught himself to play the banjo and guitar, and loved to sing.  Ham (amateur) radio. Yardwork. Wood and metal working in his shop. He could repair just about any piece of equipment and enjoyed it. Building computers. Electronics. The Houston Astros. Aggie Football (that started when both his sons became members of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band). Mo-Ranch in the Texas Hill Country. Board games. Pipe organs.  He loved talking to his younger son, Benjamin, about all matters of science – math, physics, medicine, and on and on. They shared a special geekiness bond. Above all else, David loved his family and spending time with them.

The family would like to thank MD Anderson Cancer Center for years of excellent expert, and compassionate care.  They would also like to express their gratitude to Devotion Hospice for their wonderful care of David, and of us, for the last two weeks of his life here on Earth.

David was preceded in death by his mother and father; sister, Janice; his paternal grandparents, John Hampton and Francis Marion Rathke; maternal grandparents, John Irvin and Fannie Oliver; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Suler and Velma Ryan; and brother-in-law, Tommy Ryan.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Pam; son, Dr. Bryan Rathke and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Grona Rathke; son, Benjamin Rathke; grandsons, Samuel and Nolen Rathke; nephew, James Henry; sister-in-law, Linda Ryan Evans and her husband, Mickey Evans; brother-in-law, Kenny Ryan and his wife, Paula; nieces and nephews: Leanne Evans Keeble and her husband, Eric; Julie Evans Gasier and her husband, Heath; Kevin Ryan and his wife Kristen; Kyle Ryan; Katie Ryan; Kara Ryan; and a number of great-nieces and great-nephews.

Although the family misses him tremendously, they are so grateful that there is no more suffering, and that he's getting the answers to all the questions he's been waiting to ask God! In the same manner he lived his life through his love of teaching, he will be serving future generations by having donated his body to the Texas A&M Health Science Center.

Memorial services will be held on Friday, September 30 ^th , at 10:00 a.m. at Heritage Oak Funeral Home in Huntsville, Texas (https://www.heritageoakfh.com/page/our-location), with the Reverend Bridget Maloney officiating. A reception will follow immediately, also at Heritage Oak.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in David's name to MD Anderson Brain and Spine Center ( https://www.mdanderson.org/donors-volunteers/donate/honor-loved-ones.html ), the HHS Ex-Students Association ( http://hhsesa.com/index.html ), or the charity of your choice.