DAVID RATAJCZAK

One of my dear old drum buddies from many moons ago. My sadness and condolences to all loved ones.

I sincerely enjoyed every moment I spent performing with Dave while he and I were students at Eastman. What a terrible loss for his family and the percussion world.

I had the great good fortune to have Dave as a very close friend in high school. His amazing talent was obvious early on but what I remember most was what a really good freind he was ...kind and thoughtful,crazy funny but always in a warm-hearted way. He was the kind of frien who volunteered to escort me to my prom when my boyfriend's family made him go on a trip, even though he had his first girlfriend and making that offer had to cause some difficulty. He was and remained all of his life,...

I remember Dave as we were always in the same homeroom at Sweet Home public schools, in Amherst, NY. He always had a pair of sticks on him. I was reminded of him by my cousin, Andrew Sterman, who went to Eastman with him and also played with Dave on Broadway. I have fond memories, and am sad at his passing. Best to his family and enjoy the wonderful memories you shared together.

I will always honor the gift of knowing this wonderful man
and working with him for the last 30 years!
God bless Amie and the kids. Ken Hitchcock

Dave's sense of humor was very dry and extremely funny. A week before he was to marry Amie, he had a seizure that put him in the hospital. A group of us went to see him, and when we asked what the diagnosis was, he said, "PMS." We looked at each other, and then back at Dave and said, inquistively, "PMS?" He said, "Yes. Pre-marital Stress." We had a good laugh over that one! Miss you, Dave.

Amie, Emilie and Matthew - John, the kids and I mourn with you. Dave was a wonderful man. It was an honor to know him and call him neighbor.

I met Dave in '76, my last year and his first year at Eastman. Although we didn't often see each other in NY, I still remember how he could turn a lame gig into something tolerable, if not downright pleasurable, simply with his attitude and musicality. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family.

I first heard Dave in 1981 with Woody's band in Rochester NY. He played with such command & authority - he totally owned the band that night. Later I had the privilege of playing many memorable gigs, including John Fedchock's NY Big Band, Scott Healy's demo (now a CD) City of Angels & other Broadway shows & many a club date that he brought to life. He always delivered on the bandstand & was big fun to hang out with between sets. He was a fine musician & an even better person - always...