Henry Howard Raattama Jr.

1943 - 2023

Henry Howard Raattama, Jr.
February 1, 1943 - April 13, 2023
Miami, Florida - Henry "Hank" Raattama, Jr., of Miami, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at age 80. Hank was a lifelong Floridian and proud American who lived his values: hard work, civic duty, dedication to family, and giving back to his community. He was born in Jacksonville in 1943 and raised on his family's dairy farm in LaCrosse, Florida, outside Gainesville. While attending Santa Fe High School, Hank began his long-standing dedication to community service and leadership, serving as president of the Future Farmers of America and as a member of the Boy Scouts, reaching the rank of Eagle Scout.
Hank attended the University of Florida, receiving his bachelor's degrees in 1965 and his law degree in 1967. While at UF, he was a member of Blue Key and the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity and chaired UF's Homecoming Parade.
After obtaining his law degree and before starting his L.L.M. in Taxation program at NYU School of Law, Hank served his country in Vietnam as an Army JAG officer in the 1st Calvary Division, earning two Bronze Stars for his actions during combat. He remained in the Army Reserve until 2003, retiring with the final rank of Lt. Colonel.
Following graduation from NYU in 1972, Hank joined the law firm of Mershon, Sawyer, Johnston, Dunwody and Cole where he practiced law for over 20 years. After his time at Mershon, Hank was a partner at Akerman for almost thirty years, where he remained until his death. During his career, Hank served as an adjunct professor in the Tax Master's Program at the University of Miami College of Law and as a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel. He was a past-Chair of the Tax Section of the Florida Bar and was honored to receive the Gerald T. Hart Outstanding Florida Tax Attorney award named after his good friend Gerry.
Hank worked with numerous charitable organizations in South Florida, including working closely with former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Ruth Shack at the Dade Community Foundation (now the Miami Foundation) and co-founding Philanthropy Miami. He received many awards over the years related to his contributions to the Miami-Dade community.
Hank loved following sports. Even though he graduated from the University of Florida, he was a dedicated Hurricane sports fan; it was all about "the U" for him. Hank's other love, NASCAR, started at a young age on the family farm where he would customize cars to race on Daytona Beach. He actively followed politics and always had something to say about them. Later in his life, he learned the joy of cooking. Hank was a fixture at the Coral Reef Yacht Club for many years.
Hank was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Linda. Hank is survived by his daughters, Kristina Raattama (Jim Izzo) and Kemi Edwards (James), his beloved grandson's Anthony Izzo and John Henry Edwards and his companion of six years, Roxana Jorge.
At Hank's request, there will be no funeral service. A Celebration of Life is planned for May.