Richard S. Ratcliff, 86, died Tuesday, March 6, 2018, in Holland, Mich.
A native of Oak Park and River Forest, Dick graduated from Oak Park High in 1948. In high school he developed his love of language and writing, and excelled in athletic activity, winning an award his senior year for best defensive guard in Cook County. He attended University of Michigan on a football scholarship and stayed for seven years, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics and a law degree.
Dick met Patty Cullen on spring break in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. They grew up three blocks from each other and were two years apart at Oak Park High School, but did not meet until Dick was in law school and Patty was teaching in Indianapolis. They married on April 14, 1956.