Phillip Ratner

Phillip Ratner was my art teacher at Anacostia High School in the 1960s. He also gave lessons at my home to a group of students and I had lessons at his home in Tacoma Park. Through his support and wisdom I was accepted at Rhode Island School of Design. He profoundly affected my life even today. I was so impressed with his spirituality, enthusiasm, and mentoring of his students. I am one person who was forever inspired and guided my this wonderful person. I feel some of the grief that his...

My condolences to the Ratner family. I was blessed to have been the Superintendent for the museum construction. I saw Phillip and Ellen daily, and enjoyed many conversations through the nearly year long project. Incredible man, rest peacefully. Gordon

Sorry, My memory was he came in mid year and took over a class of first year "artist" who were also seniors getting out of there soon. He was one of the teachers who inspired me to become a High School teacher. I spent 32 active and 10 years substituting in MCPS mostly at Walt Whitman High. Coached a debate team that competed w/ one of his daughters. Thinking of him invokes a lot of memories. He inspired a number of kids to become artists. There is pride I that.

Phil was a best friend/brother since our middle & high school days growing up in the DC area. I remember visiting him in his basement studio when his family lived in the neighborhoods. After I moved back to Bethesda in the 90´s we re-established our friendship. I was one of the earlier docents at the museum; photographed much of his statues and display art, joined his Friday morning men´s club, and even participated in a Seder held at the museum. I admired his talent; even traded him my...

Phil and I were students together at Pratt Institute, and we shared an apartment for two years. He was a year ahead of me, and proved to be a valuable guide. After he graduated, I took his place selling shoes at the Coward Shoe Company in Brooklyn, where so many declared that Phil was an outstanding salesman! I knew it to be true. And Phil also steered me to the Art Department at Montgomery College, where I then taught for more than thirty years. In the few times we met afterwards, Phil was...