RATHNOW, ALBERT MARTIN, formerly of Michigan City, IN, was born on January 3, 1929, and died on Monday, November 21, 2005. Not a man to leave a job unfinished, he collapsed on his roof and died after blowing the last of the leaves from the gutters. He grew up in Michigan City, IN, before moving to Alexandria, LA,courtesy of the Korean War where he met the love of his life, Georgia Bordelon, to whom he was married for 52 years. After retirement, he moved back to Michigan City, IN, where he enjoyed time with his family and friends until he was persuaded to move to Louisville, Kentucky to be close to Ken, Laura, Sam and Ben. Although he lived in Louisville for only 18 months, he touched many lives and was blessed to live next door to an extraordinary couple, Louie and Ruth Dambrose, for whom he had enormous affection. He picked up his grandsons from school, spent many joyous hours in his son's workshop, attended numerous soccer matches to watch his grandsons play and grew a very fine garden. His time with his family was a source of immense joy. Albert loved life and lived it fully to the very end. "In a world that has its share of guile, duplicity and deceit, he was a rare example of kindness, compassion and decency." He was a very content man who didn't spend his time complaining about life's inconveniences. He was loved and adored and will be sorely missed by all who were fortunate to know him. He is survived by his wife, Georgia Rathnow; his loving son, Ken Rathnow; his beloved daughter-in-law, Laura P. Guissinger; his two treasured grandsons, Sam Guissinger Rathnow and Ben Guissinger Rathnow; and his dear sister, Sister Mary Albert.
Published in The Courier-Journal on 11/27/2005.