Thomas Joseph Rathz, 74, of Huntsville, passed away on Saturday, February 07, 2026.

Thomas was born on January 22,1952 in Indianapolis. He graduated from Cathedral High School, and then went on to graduate from the college of Rose-Hulman in Terre Haute, IN in 1974. He was hired by NASA/MSFC and moved to Huntsville in 1975, where he worked at NASA or contractor employee for 35 years, mainly as a Research Scientist at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Thomas also served as a Science Advisor on a Skylab experiment and was the lead-investigator into the deterioration of the thermal protection materials on Spacelab. He also contributed to the Materials Science Projects dealing with the effects on the properties of materials processed in low gravity, and dealt with thermal protection materials on the Ares program. He obtained a master's degree in physics and one in Material Sciences from UAH.

Thomas is preceded by his great-grandfather and grandmother, who were immigrants from Bavaria, Germany; his father, Charles William Rathz; mother, Agnes Rose Rathz (nee Fussner); brother, Charles Gregory Rathz; and sister, Victoria Rose Davis/Whitesell.

He is survived by his children, Amy Brooks (Chad), Aaron Rathz (Debra), Elaine Rowell (Brian), and Jeff Rathz; and grandchildren, Paige Martin (Blake), Cambria Cebolla (Keith), Madeline & Amelia Rathz, and Thomas & Ashlyn Brooks.

Thomas was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, where he served as the Meals on Wheels Minister and as a Eucharistic Minister. He also delivered several MOW routes personally, as well as serving on various committees and offices as a member of the Huntsville Elks Lodge. One of his favorite hobbies was growing his garden, and enjoyed pickling cucumbers and anything else that would fit in a jar. He also enjoyed University of Alabama football and Braves baseball, and loved to travel particularly to the Gulf beaches.

The family will receive friends at 1:00 PM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Monday, February 16th, with mass immediately following at 2:00 PM. There will be a luncheon concluding the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Meals on Wheels

Berryhill Funeral Home assisted the family.