DeForest Zeller Rathbone

DeForest “Dee” Zeller Rathbone, Jr., 95, of Leonardtown (McKays Beach), Maryland, passed away peacefully on November 18, 2025. Born on January 23, 1930 in Dallas, Texas, Dee leaves an indelible impression on those who called him family, friend, and colleague. Dee’s energetic friendliness, intelligence, thoughtfulness, intensity and sense of humor impressed everyone who had the chance to know him. Dee’s legacy of service and dedication will be forever cherished by his family and friends Dee had two residences: one in Great Falls, Virginia, with his first wife and children, and the other a summer home at McKay’s Beach. After the passing of his beloved wife Barbara Rathbone in 2011, he relocated to the beach and lived there for the rest of his life. He life at the beach was always his true happy place – fishing, crabbing, eating at local restaurants, having many friends, and participating in an inspirational religious community as he attended services at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Valley Lee and Callaway Baptist. Dee was a veteran of the Korean War, having served honorably as an engineer in the Army Corps of Engineers. In his early career, he was a journeyman plumber who was also highly skilled as a carpenter and builder. Throughout his life, he frequently lent a hand to family members, friends, neighbors and churches to help with their home repair and maintenance projects. In mid-life, he changed careers to become a supervisor overseeing the construction of buildings and other projects at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) where he worked until he retired in 1995. Dee was preceded in death first wife Barbara Elam Rathbone, second wife Katherine O’Rourke-Rathbone, companion Helen Hautzenroder, brother David Rathbone, and sister Sally Rathbone Gary. His survivors include his sister Sue Rathbone Dickson; son John Rathbone and daughter-in-law Christine Rathbone; daughter Kathryn Rathbone Stanfield and son-in-law Norman Ted Stanfield; daughter Donna Rathbone; grandsons Chase Rathbone, Ted Stanfield, Nathan Stanfield and Michelle Stanfield; granddaughters Elizabeth Snead and Lia Kurihara; nieces Liz Gary and Dianne Dickson; and nephews John Gary, Franklin Dickson, and Bob Dickson. A memorial service honoring Dee’s life will be held on Wednesday, December 3, at 11:00 a.m. at St. George’s Episcopal Church, 19167 Poplar Hill Lane, Valley Lee.