Birth date: May 30, 1950 Death date: May 15, 2026
Lewis J. Rathbone Jr., lovingly known as “Lew,” was born on May 30, 1950, and passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully at his home in Lewes, Delaware, on Friday, May 15, at the age of 75. Lew leaves behind a lifetime of adventure, Read Obituary
We used to do a deep in freezing ocean for fun in a winter time, visit 5 guys, and just spend great time together
At Everyone Fitness he always introduced himself as “Lew from Lewes” so that you couldn’t forget his name. He himself had a great memory for names and always greeted his gym friends with a smile and kind word. We will miss seeing him! Our deepest sympathies go out to his friends and family.
Kathi and Jim Colman
I knew Lew as a member of UUSD and in his role as part of their Caring Committee. We got to know each other when I was recovering from surgery at UPenn in Philadelphia and unable to drive. He was such a kind person driving me from my DE home to my first UPenn follow up appt. We both shared a lot in common being retired land planners. He was a great story teller and put me at ease with tales of his life adventures. I always enjoyed seeing him at UUSD and admired his giving back to that community.
I was so saddened to hear of his sudden death and offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Lewis was a casual friend at UU, though we'd also see each other at Everyone Fitness gym and sometimes around town. I loved his combination of gentle reserve and gentle friendliness, his thoughtfulness and his compassion. I will always wish I'd had more time to talk with him about his work as a landscape architect, how his passions led him to that work, and to know more about Roy. He is a big loss at UU, and his passing was quite a shock.
Lewis and I often shared coffee duty at our church. Always a pleasure to talk and share stories of his travels and both of having lived in NY. He was a good listener and a caring person. I will miss our talks and friendship.
RIP
Lew was a perfect partner for my brother, Roy Schoenberger. Roy was sometimes unruly and Lew was always so patient and caring. He was one of the sweetest persons we knew. We spent many times with Roy and Lew in their Lebanon County, PA home, which they designed. Before Roy passed, he was right there with him doing whatever was necessary to make him comfortable. Lew was our brother-in-law and friend. He had a wry sense of humor, always making you feel comfortable and welcomed. He often teased Deb about their ages. Her birthday was in February and he would say he was only 1 year older now, even though in May he would be 2 yrs older.
Rest easy now, Lew, we love you!
Michael and Deb (Schoenberger) Beatson
We will miss you more than words can describe. A lifetime of adventures with you and Uncle Sonny could never be enough. Your smile and energy is unparalleled. Rest easy, Uncle Lew. You will forever be in our hearts!
Roy "Sonny" was my uncle and even after his passing, I considered Lew my uncle too. We didn't get to see each other very much, but in the past few years we enjoyed a crab festival in Annapolis and shared a few hours in his home in Lewes and a meal out to eat.
My family always regarded him so highly, through the decade plus he and Uncle Sonny were partners. And we lived right down the street from each other for most of those years. He was the kindest, most generous person you could ever meet, with a soft-spoken confidence and wry sense of humor. He used to tease me endlessly about watching C-SPAN because that was the most riveting programming a kid could watch! That joke continued through all the years I've known him. When we visited him, his home smelled the same as when he shared his home with Uncle Sonny and it immediately brought back all the memories from both homes they shared. And his love for my uncle still showed throughout every room of the house. We're heartbroken to hear of his passing and extend our deepest condolences to the rest of his family and friends. We'll never forget him.
Rachel, Dave, and Annaliesa Lucidi
For Lew. I was Roy's, or Sonny as we knew him, sister-in-law. Bill my husband was Sonny's brother. The four of us spent many many hours together, mostly going out to eat! Lew became part of the Schoenberger family . So sorry to hear of your family's loss.
