In loving memory of

Ronald W. Ratzlaff
January 22, 1936 - March 14, 2017

Ronald W. Ratzlaff, 81, passed away peacefully on March 14, 2017, at Brookdale Memory Care in Venice, Fla. Ron was born on January 22, 1936, in Paterson, N.J., to Reinhold and Henrietta Ratzlaff. He moved with his parents to Winchester, Va., graduating from James Wood High School in 1954. Ron attended Shepherd College in Shepherdstown, W.Va., and competed on the swim team. He then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Texas and Saudi Arabia.
Ron spent his professional career with the Washington Gas Light Company as a supervisor of purchasing. While at the Gas Company, he met and married Eleanor Perrie in 1963. The two, along with daughter Leslie and son Brian, made their home in Falls Church, Va., until Ron retired in 1990. Ron and Ellie settled in Englewood, Fla., that same year, dividing their time between Florida and their home in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, where Ron had spent many happy summers in his youth.
Ron is survived by Ellie, his wife of 54 years, son Brian (Janet), daughter Leslie Ramsey, granddaughter Julia Ramsey and older sister, Marie Scherb of Wyckoff, N.J.
He will be remembered for his strength, his compassion, his determination, his faith and, above all, his boundless love for his family and friends.
A service of remembrance will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1379 McCall Rd. in Englewood Tuesday March 21 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Tidewell Hospice, 1144 Veronica St., Port Charlotte, Fla., 33952.
Death is no more than passing from one room into another. --Helen Keller

Tributes

Laury Bender wrote on Mar 26, 2017:

"I am still living in the house on McKay St we bought from the Ratzlaffs next door around 46 years ago. Our kids grew up together so we shared many community and school events. Our daughter Linda mowed their lawn when they spent summers in Shannondale, and we were blessed to receive veggies as a result of Ron's gardening skills. Missed them, especially Ellie's contagious laugh, when they moved to Florida and glad to have kept in touch ever since. Love and peace, Laury Bender, Falls Church, VA."

Rev. Peter A. Richert wrote on Mar 23, 2017:

"Dear Ellie, Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die." John 11:25-26. May the words of Jesus, and His victory over sin, death and the grave by His death and resurrection, bring you comfort, peace, and joy at this time, even in the midst of your grief. Ron's soul in Heaven rejoicing...awaiting the resurrection on the Last Day. Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! Rev. Peter Richert Pastor, Lutheran Church of Our Savior Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania P.S. It was an honor and pleasure to serve you both during your spring-fall months in the Poconos."