Frederick Ratzeburg

1926 - 2015

Frederick Hal Ratzeburg

April 17, 1926 - April 20, 2015

Frederick Hal Ratzeburg passed away from natural causes in his home at Capital Manor in Salem, OR on April 20, 2015, at the age of 89. Fred was born on April 17, 1926, in Mill City Oregon, to Frederick Ratzeburg and Edna Henness Ratzeburg. He was predeceased by both of his parents, along with his brothers, Jack, Verne and Bob Ratzeburg, and his great-nephew, Steven Tyler. Fred is survived by his nieces, Meredith Anne Wright of Merritt Island, FL, and Dana Sue Burton of Lyle, WA. Fred is also survived by his great-niece Sheila Klein of Redmond, OR and her children: Josh, Jordan, David and Faith; and his great-nephew Jason Wade of Gladstone, OR and his son: Stephen. A Celebration of Fred's life will be held on May 9, at 2pm at the auditorium in Capital Manor, 1955 Dallas Hwy NW, Salem, OR. Internment will be at the Fairview Cemetery in Gates, OR at a later date.

Fred graduated from Salem Senior High School in 1944, and served in the Navy from 1944 through 1946. He attended Willamette University where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology in 1949. He then attended Syracuse University in New York, where he received his doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology in 1959. He was a Psychological Intern at Norwich State Mental Hospital in Norwich, CT from 1952 to 1953; an Assistant Professor at the State University of New York at Oswego, NY from 1953 to 1954; Assistant Professor, Oswego State College, Oswego, NY from 1953 to 1954; Psychologist for Personal Counseling Service Center at Syracuse University Research Institute in Montgomery County, MD from 1957 to 1959; Visiting Professor, Auburn Community College, Auburn, NY from 1959 to 1960; and a Professor for State University of New York College at Oswego, NY from 1959 to 1988. During his time in Oswego, in addition to his duties as a Professor at Oswego State he was also a Psychological Consultant to Oswego Enlarged City School District from 1960 to 1967; Psychological Consultant to Hannibal Public Schools in Hannibal, NY from 1967 to 1973; Network Psychologist for the New York State Office of Vocational Rehabilitation from 1970 to 1988; and provided psychological screening services for Fitzpatrick Nuclear Power Plant in Lycoming, NY from 1980-1988.

During his career Fred held the offices of President, Oswego Chapter of American Association of University Professors; President, Central New York Psychological Association; Board of Directors, Central New York Psychological Association; and Chairman, Oswego County Mental Health Board. Fred was a member of the Society of the Sigma X1; American Psychological Association; Central New York Psychological Association; Fellow, American Public Health Association; Fellow, American School Health Association; Fellow, American Society of Clinical Hypnosis; School Psychologists of Upstate New York, and New York State Psychological Association. His professional certifications include Certified School Psychologist, NY State, and he was a licensed Psychologist in NY State.

Fred co-authored a book, "A Teaching Method for Brain-injured and Hyperactive Children", along with co-authoring several other publications with other professors during his long and distinguished career.

After retiring to Salem, OR in 1988, Fred continued his love of learning by membership in the Institute of Continued Learning at Willamette University, which he attended up to the week before his death. He had a life-long love of music, and enjoyed concerts at Camerata Musica in Salem, along with having season tickets to the Salem Chamber Orchestra and the Oregon Symphony. He not only had an educational avocation for people through psychology, he demonstrated his spiritual belief as a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Salem, OR, as well as a being a member of the Salem Humanists.

Although Fred certainly had a long and distinguished career as a Professor, perhaps his most enjoyable and memorable personal contribution was as the advisor for the Beta Tau Epsilon fraternity at Oswego for 26 years, where he was affectionately known as "Doc R". Many of the fraternity brothers still remember him very fondly and credit him with helping them succeed in life with descriptions such as "He was a wonderful person. An excellent teacher who was understanding and compassionate . . ." ; He was a true gentleman . . ." ; "He had an impact on my life and the person I am today . . ."; "Doc R was a delightful, intelligent, caring presence . . . the world was a better place with him around"; "He was truly a class act" ; "I always felt lifted by his presence"; "He taught me how to study"; "He was a very intelligent man with excellent judgment . . . he was a kind and gentle soul. I will never forget him".

Perhaps the best epitaph for an educator - and an individual - is that they made a positive difference in others' lives. Dr. Frederick Hal Ratzeburg surely did.

Memorials may be made to the Beta Tau Epsilon Service Scholarship in Dr. Ratzeburg's memory c/o the Oswego College Foundation Inc., 215 Sheldon Hall, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY 13126.