Robert Theodore "Bob" Ratcliff

1939 - 2012

Robert (Bob) Theodore Ratcliff
6/16/1939 - 6/10/2012

Bob was born June 16, 1939, in the Richmond, CA area, to Henry Elmer Ratcliff and Dorothy Brown Ratcliff. He was raised in the Atlas Powder Company employee village NAMED GIANT, located at Point Pinole on the San Pablo Bay. Bob graduated from Richmond Unified High School in 1957, and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1958. Bob married Mary Ellen Tickner in 1963. He was later employed with Brobeck and Associates in the East Bay Area. He went on assignment to the National Bureau of Standards, Maryland, to install and maintain a nuclear accelerator, and was hired on at N.B.S. for 4 years. The Ratcliffs then returned to San Pablo, CA and Bob graduated with a degree in Electronic Engineering, from U.C. Berkeley. Bob took a position with Teradyne and continued there until his retirement.

He was well known throughout the electronics field for his work in various capacities. The couple had two children who were born in Oakland, CA. In the 80's Bob and Mary Ellen divorced. Bob traveled the world for pleasure and business. He traveled to Israel, Taiwan, Peru, Nova Scotia, Europe, and many other locations. After retirement Bob moved to Redding, California. He quickly became very involved with the Penguin Paddlers store and paddling group. He traveled to many adventurous paddling locations and he began crafting wood sea kayaks. Bob also became involved with the Secret Witness program of Shasta County, assisting with fundraisers and other projects. Every morning for just over 10 years Bob and his dog Rose met a group of friends for coffee either at Manhattan Bagel or other locations around town. On June 10, 2012, at age 72, Bob was found in his home in his favorite chair and at peace.

He was preceded in death by his father Henry Elmer Ratcliff and mother Dorothy Brown Ratcliff. He leaves behind his brother Richard Ratcliff, sister Mary Ratcliff, mother of his kids Mary Ellen Ratcliff, brother-in-law Andy Tickner, daughter and son-in-law Amanda and Michael Reid, son and daughter-in-law Patrick and April Ratcliff, and 5 grandchildren as well as many friends. Bob lived life to the fullest and with gusto! Bob did every job well and always left things better than he found them. He loved tending his bonsai trees and the glorious pond he created. Always willing to help the people he cared about, Bob enjoyed building fences, fixing plumbing, doing odd jobs, spending time with his grandkids and so much more. He is DEEPLY missed by family and the many people whose lives he touched.

Services will be held at 2 PM on July 21st, 2012 at Allen and Dahl's in Palo Cedro, CA. Please join us to celebrate his life and say our goodbyes to a beloved father, grampa, brother, friend and mentor. HE WAS ONE OF THE GREAT ONES! In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Secret Witness of Shasta County or a charity of your choice in Bob's name.
Please sign the guestbook at http://obituaries.redding.com