MARCUS RATLIFF

RATLIFF--Marcus, a graphic designer and artist, died on February 4, 2022, at the age of 86. Born in Cincinnati, OH on September 20, 1935, one of three children of Donald and Jeanette Ratliff, he moved to New York and studied art at the Cooper Union, while living at Judson Student House. In 1957 Marcus helped found the Judson Gallery. After graduating he turned to graphic design, worked for Time-Life Books and Fortune magazine, and in 1967 set up Marcus Ratliff Inc., his own design firm. For 40 years he created hundreds of exhibition catalogs, posters, invitations and ephemera for galleries, museums, and publishers. His ability to communicate the creative essence of an artist's work through typography and other design elements was greatly respected; as he is remembered by friends for his humor and style, he is remembered by his colleagues, and the younger designers he guided, for the care and insight of his work. In 1963 Marcus met and married Jennie Ratliff, a young Oxford graduate from England. They lived in New York City; London; Rockland County, New York; and Norwich, Vermont. They loved working and traveling together and raising two sons: Marcus Ratliff, of Sharon, VT, and Ben Ratliff, of Bronx, NY. Marcus and Jennie were together until Jennie's death in 2004. In retirement, Marcus returned to making art, mostly collages, which were exhibited in New York, Ohio and New England. Marcus and Ben survive him, as do Marcus's daughters-in-law Amanda Ratliff and Kate Reynolds, and four grandsons. In lieu of flowers, a donation in his memory may be made for scholarships at the Cooper Union School of Art. Send to: The Cooper Union, Attn: Development, P.O. Box 22422, NY, NY, 10087-2422.