Donald Herman Raatz

Donald Herman Raatz of Bellevue, WA, 92, was called home to his heavenly father on Tuesday, May 25, 2021. He was a devout Christian and family man.

Don, the youngest of six children, was born July 26, 1928 to Gertrude and Charles Raatz. He was baptized at home on November 7, 1928 and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Seattle on April 6, 1941. Don graduated from Franklin High School in 1946 and immediately enlisted in the Army where he served in the military police in the Philippines. He returned home in 1948 and attended Broadway Tech School where he met the love of his life, Shirley Anne Ormbrek, in German class. They married on December 21, 1951.

Don and Shirley bought their first and only home in 1955 in Bellevue WA where they raised five children: Mary, Cindy, David, Stephen and Michael. Don and Shirley were charter members of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Bellevue where they served in many capacities throughout the years.

In 1954 Don went to work for Standard Controls (Paine Instruments), starting in the assembly shop and working through the ranks to become President and Chairman of the board. He retired in 1998 after 44 years.

Don loved tent camping with his family. He was accomplished in the art of “blue tarp” camping, traveling all over the Olympic National Park and the Washington and Oregon coast, every summer. Tent camping gave way to the Motor Home, which enabled Don and Shirley to take trips to Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and California. When Don retired, they were able to take cruises to Alaska, the Panama Canal, Caribbean and Mexico. Snow skiing was another passion he shared with his family, skiing into his 70’s when he got to ski for free!

Don volunteered with Boy Scout Troop 438 where he enjoyed many scouting activities with his three sons including 50-mile backpacking trips.

Don was preceded in death by his beloved wife Shirley and sons David and Michael.

To his family he was Dad, Grandpa and Great Papa Don and will be truly missed by his daughters and husbands Mary & (Ken) Wright (Renton, WA) Cindy & (David) Blair (Brier, WA) son Stephen Raatz (Bellevue, WA) Six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

When once asked what his favorite words of wisdom were Don replied, “Let’s do it now, I can always earn more money, but time will pass us by”.

All who knew Don will hold many loving memories of a man of integrity and dignity who was kind, generous, hard working, smart, funny and full of wit!

He had a sure and certain faith in God, one of his favorite Bible verses was: Philippians 4:8 “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.”

Memorial contributions may be made to Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St Louis, MO 63105 or Friends of Boy Scout Troop 438 in care of Christ the King Lutheran Church, 3730 148th Ave. S.E., Bellevue WA 98006.

Memorial service will be at 1:00pm at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Bellevue, WA

on June 26, 2021