Robert "Bob" Ratzlaff

Bob J. Ratzlaff, age 84, of Grove, passed into the arms of Christ our Savior on Friday, March 22, 2024, at his home. Bob was born on October 15, 1939, to Norman and Helen (Janzen) Ratzlaff in Enid, Oklahoma. He graduated from Oklahoma Bible Academy High School in Meno, OK and attended Oklahoma State Technical College and Bethel College in Newton KS.
On July 23, 1961, Bob married the love of his life, Janie Beam, in Cushing, OK.
Bob was a talented Petroleum Engineer who designed offshore platforms all over the world, including the underwater fuel storage system "Khazzan" in Dubai of the United Arab Emirates. He worked for over 15 years at Crest Engineering in Tulsa.
After retiring from the oil & gas industry, Bob and Janie owned and operated a property management company in Summit County, Colorado called "Carpe' Diem" for 30 years. In 2005, the couple moved to Grove, OK.
Bob was a man of many accomplishments, including authoring the "Manual of Christian Discipleship" and serving by as a biblical family counselor with SCOPE Ministries. He was a longtime board member and past president of Evangelical Mission Ministries in Pharr, Tx. Most recently, he was one of the founders of a Chinese mission website: We Serve Jesus (www.shifengyesu.org). He and Janie wrote numerous important articles that have benefited many Chinese readers both in mainland China and across the world. Bob had an incredibly inquisitive mind and was deeply involved in biblical research and studies.
One of Bob's greatest joys in life was raising his family (including adopted and foster children). After his children were grown and with families of their own, he spent countless hours teaching other parents the skills necessary for biblical child training. He was a devoted member and Deacon of Trinity Baptist Church and lived his life with unwavering faith.
Bob will be dearly missed, and his legacy of love and kindness will live on in the hearts of the many who knew him. He wanted people to know "Jesus Christ as a person saving them from the penalty of sin, the power of sin and presence of sin."
He is preceded in death by his parents and granddaughter, Racheal Smith Cook.
Left to carry on his legacy, wife of 62 years, Janie Ratzlaff; son, Jon Ratzlaff of Bartlesville, OK; and daughters, Ginger Green (Kelly) of Durant, OK, Dee Smith (Gregg) of Murfeesburo, Tennessee, and Linda Whitley (Ross) of Easley, S.C. brother, Merlin Ratzlaff (Clara) of Enid, OK; grandchildren, Caspian, Jasmine, Dakota, Sophia, Gabriella, Ashton, Allison, Julie, Gregg, Roger, Asa, William and T.J. and several great grandchildren.
There will be a Celebration of Life at Trinity Baptist Church Grove, OK on April 27, 2024, at 2:00PM. The family requests that donations be made to "Sharin' Hearts Ministries" founded by the Ratzlaff family to encourage Chrisitan women at: http://www.sharinhearts.org