George Blatz Rathmann

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Rathmann, George Blatz 84, a former 3M employee who co-founded Amgen, one of the world's most successful biotechnology companies, died April 22 at his home in Palo Alto, California. George and his wife Joy lived in Saint Paul, Minnesota for 21 years. Four of their five children were born in Saint Paul. Born on December 25, 1927 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, George Rathmann received a Bachelor of Science in biology and chemistry from Northwestern University and a PhD in physical chemistry from Princeton University. In 1951, he went to work for 3M initially in Central Research. George remained at 3M until 1972. Later, when Rathmann would speak of Amgen's success, he would say 3M was the model for Amgen. In the late 1970s, George became Vice President of Research and Development for the Diagnostics Division at Abbott Laboratories in Chicago. During his eight years at Abbott, Rathmann's products built the Diagnostics Division from almost nothing into a billion dollars in revenue. As a skilled technical manager with a background in both biology and chemistry, George was a logical first choice for an entirely new field of science and industry: biotechnology. In 1980, he was recruited by venture capitalists as the first CEO and co-founder of Amgen. Some argued that George Rathmann, at age 53, was too old to start a new company. However, over the next ten years, George built Amgen from its four initial employees into a biotechnology company with thousands of employees and two multi-billion dollar products, Epogen and Neupogen, that have improved and continue to improve the lives of millions of people around the world. Rathmann received national recognition for his accomplishments including the Gold Medalist Biotechnology CEO of the Year Award (1987 and 1988), the BioPharm Achievement Award (1992), the Glen Seaborg Medal from the University of California-Los Angeles (1995), the Bower Award for Business Leadership at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia (1997), the first-ever Biotechnology Heritage Award (1999), and the James Madison Medal from Princeton University (2001). On behalf of Amgen, he also received the Gift of Life Award from the Illinois Chapter of the National Kidney Foundation and the Annual Recognition Award from the Washington D.C. National Kidney Foundation. In 1990, George retired from Amgen to form ICOS, a new biotechnology company in the Seattle area. By then, George had earned the affectionate nickname of "Golden Throat" for his unparalleled ability to raise money in the field of biotechnology. While at ICOS, George held true to form by immediately raising the largest- ever-to-date private offering for a biotechnology company. The offering included an investment from Bill Gates, his first ever investment in biotechnology. George Rathmann, a large bear-like man at 6'5" and 250 lbs., had the extraordinary ability to inspire scientists to apply their innovations for commercial applications. One aspect of his management style was his egalitarian approach. Everyone was equal to George and he made himself available to all. At Amgen picnics (initially held at the home of George and his wife, Joy), it was not uncommon for the kids of the lowest paid laboratory technicians to call him "George" or "Grandpa George." At ICOS, George and Joy funded the construction of a daycare center for the kids of ICOS employees. A fan of sports, George bought season tickets to local teams such as the Seattle Sonics and would relish handing them out via lottery to his employees so they could enjoy watching an NBA game from the floor of the arena. As ICOS was successfully launched, the honors continued to follow George and his devoted employees delivered. George Rathmann's achievements were celebrated in numerous publications such as Forbes, Fortune, Newsweek, Discover, and the Wall Street Journal. Business Week named George Rathmann one of its "visionary entrepreneurs." An important part of George Rathmann's egalitarian mentality and approach was to take a minimal salary. He considered this further evidence to his employees that he was not a "fat cat" but rather an equal and that his investment of time and effort would be rewarded by the long term appreciation of his stock options. As a result of the success of those companies, George was able to start a private Family Foundation in 1991. Since inception, the Foundation has been very active in grants to public charities for education, technology, youth development, the environment, health, human services, and the arts. As a recognized industry expert, George Rathmann's public service commitments grew along with his business commitments. George served as an officer and board member of the Biotechnology Industry Organization and was its chairman from 1986 to 1988. In 1993, he was approached by the late, former Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown to find a way to highlight the achievements of the country's highest award recipients - the laureates receiving the Presidential Medal of Science and the Presidential Medal of Technology (the U.S. equivalent of the Nobel Prize). To accomplish this, George started the National Science & Technology Medals Foundation which continues to this day. Also during this time, George served on the Board of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the Keystone Center, and the Institute of Systems Biology. He was called on to testify before Congress on multiple occasions and was recognized in the Congressional Record for his accomplishments. At one point he was considered as a nominee for the top science advisor to the President where he received the endorsements of prominent Republicans and Democrats alike. George Rathmann died quietly in his home on April 22nd after a long illness and is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Joy Rathmann; 5 children, James (Anne Noonan), Margaret (John Wick), Laura Jean (Seeker), Sally Kadifa (Abdo George), and Richard (Mary Anne); and 13 grandchildren. In commemoration and celebration of George Rathmann's life, there will be a memorial service held at the First Congregational Church, 1985 Louis Road, Palo Alto, CA 94303 at 10:30 am Friday, May 4. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those interested in honoring George Rathmann make a donation to their favorite charity in his memory.

Published on April 30, 2012