David Ratner Obituary

Name: Celebration of Life for David Ratner
Start: 2019-01-25T02:00:00.000Z
Location: USF Law School, Kendrick Hall, Terrace Room (2nd Floor)

David Louis Ratner

September 2, 1931 - January 5, 2019

David Louis Ratner passed away on January 5, 2019, after a brief illness. Best remembered in the Bay Area as a longtime dean of the USF Law School, David was also active in local Marin County civic affairs as a member of the Larkspur Planning Commission for many years. Before moving to California in 1980, David had first been a Wall Street lawyer for eight years and then a longtime professor at Cornell University Law School, teaching and authoring several case books, articles, and educational aids. During his tenure at Cornell, David took two leaves of absence to work in Washington D.C., first as Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the SEC, and later as Chief Counsel to the Senate Banking Committee.

Born in London England in 1931, David lived there until 1939, when his father moved the family to the States to escape the coming of WWII in Europe. David's father, a builder, found work in various U.S. cities before settling the family in Manhattan, where David attended the Horace Mann-Lincoln School. After winning a national academic scholarship, David attended Harvard College, graduating magna cum laude before entering Harvard Law School and receiving his law degree, magna cum laude, in 1955.

In addition to his far-ranging work endeavors, David was an avid world traveler and had visited much of the globe. He was also a great lover of the outdoors and spent many joyful hours hiking on his beloved King Mountain in Marin. A man of sharp wit and surprisingly arch humor, David took great pleasure in the art of conversation, as well as that of the written word. He never took things for granted and accepted all challenges life laid before him. A serious man when he needed to be, David also had a whimsical fun-loving side and was a fine father to his sons Nick, Ched, and Tony, who will miss him very much.

A celebration of David's life will be held at USF Law School, Kendrick Hall, Terrace Room (2nd Floor) on Thursday, January 24 at 6:00 pm. Free parking is available in the garage beneath Kendrick Hall.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jan. 17 to Jan. 18, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for David Ratner

11 Entries

Lindy

May 21, 2023

So sorry about his passing. A good friend to me. Lindy Beasley

Bruce Lane

May 5, 2019

David and I were classmates and friends at Harvard College and Harvard Law School, and our friendship continued and grew both in Washington, DC and, when we visited, in SF. Sadly, my wife, Ann, and I have just now learned of his passing.
We remember so many fine things about David. His wit, his scholarship, his friendship and his sincerity.
And the many good times we shared. Perhaps Nick, Ched, and/or Tony will recall our overnight camping trip with my sons to the Shenandoah Mountains many years ago . At breakfast we were greeted by a very hungry bear, who ended up enjoying our breakfast bacon. We still have home movies of this event.
Ann and I will miss David. He was one of a kind.
Our deepest sympathy to his family.
Bruce and Ann Lane

Richard Sogg

January 26, 2019

David and I were classmates at Harvard College, but I got to know him more recently much better as fellow supporters of the San Francisco Giants. We attended June games annually for many years, and I was surprised to learn of his knowledge and strategy of the game going back to his high school days in New York. A great man, with a great wit, and one I shall always remember and miss

Dick Sogg

Donal Godfrey

January 22, 2019

My deepest condolences to all of the family of David.

Peter Honigsberg

January 20, 2019

My condolences to the family. David was dean when I was hired in 1986. I appreciated his dry humor, sharp intelligence and read of people. I will always be grateful for his strong support, and for his commitment to maintaining high standards as we all worked together to educate USF students toward productive careers. We will miss him.

Daniel Bacon

January 20, 2019

David Ratner taught a class in corporations at USF Law School which I took. He was an excellent teacher who was able to simplify and explain complex principles. I used to see him at the Harvard Club of San Francisco functions on numerous occasions in the years after my graduation from USF Law School where he shared great stories. Extremely polite and friendly to all.

Mike Painter, '86

January 18, 2019

I'm sorry to read this. Prof. Ratner was Dean while I was at USF Law School. My condolences to his family.

January 18, 2019

Professor Ratner taught a Securities law class at USF in the early '90s that I enjoyed thoroughly, not because of the subject matter, but because of the dry humor and sometimes mock seriousness with which he explained the concepts. He was also very patient with students and open-minded. Sincerely, Tessa McFarland, General Counsel, Prometheus Real Estate Group, Inc.

Molly Cohen

January 18, 2019

David was a fellow hiker in Marin County and a friend of many years. I just exchanged holiday greetings with him and he seemed well and optimistic. I was surprised to learn of his death, will miss him and send condolences to his family.

Showing 1 - 11 of 11 results