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Phillip Ratner Obituary

Name: Service for Phillip Ratner
Start: 2023-11-12T12:30:00.000Z
Location: B'nai Israel Congregation

Ratner

Phillip Ratner

Phillip Joel Ratner, internationally renowned artist, on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Beloved husband of Ellen; cherished father of Hal Ratner (Jeanine Magill), Sari Ratner Judge (Mike), Marni Ratner, Jennifer Ratner-Rosenhagen (Ulrich); adored grandfather of Eli, Caleb, Hope, Amelie, Noah, Leo, Gabriel, Charlie and Jonah; loving brother of Harvey Ratner (Carole), Arlene Engle (Stuart), Carol Miles (Keith Villere); treasured uncle of many nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at Congregation B'nai Israel, Rockville, MD with burial to follow at Judean Memorial Gardens, Olney, MD. The family will be sitting shiva Sunday 6:30 to 9 p.m. with a minyan service at 7 p.m. at The Ratner Museum. Donations in Phillip's memory can be made to JNF at www.jnf.org. Services are entrusted to Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg Funeral Care.

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Published by The Washington Post on Nov. 10, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Phillip Ratner

13 Entries

Jeanne Page

April 1, 2024

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 family must feel now. My deep condolences to Ellen and family.

Gordon MacDonald

December 10, 2023

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

Ed Morris

November 19, 2023

Ed Morris

November 19, 2023

Ed Morris

November 19, 2023

Ed Morris

November 19, 2023

Ed Morris

November 19, 2023

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.

Richie Sacks

November 14, 2023

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 Jaguar automobile for a set of his "immigrants" statuary.

Over the years, we spent many hours kibitzing in his studio house about politics, music, religion and philosophy. He cherished Ellen.

We occasionally traveled to the Silver Dinner for his famous order of caesar salad with salmon.
I considered him my father figure, as he was 13 days older than me.
I will always be thankful that he included me among one of his closed friends and he taught me to order a "scooped" bagel for my lox sandwich.

Will miss & love you, my buddy, as long as I last & longer.
Richie

Robert S Cohen

November 10, 2023

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 always animated, eager to share his work, optimistic, and busy with projects here and in Israel. In addition to his personally stylized drawing, painting and sculpting, I remember his colors schemes for decorating, and his fondness for his Jaguar. He had a highly developed design sensibility and expressed it without inhibition.
I extend my sincere condolences to his family and friends. May his art and spirit be a comfort to those who mourn his loss.

Patti Kahn

November 10, 2023

What an artist ! Phil was so talented and I will miss him dearly . I was his assistant for 2 years with Washington Hebrew Congregation and my parents Flossie and Buddy Kahn took Polyform classes with him in the 70´s.
For the family of Phil May your memories be a blessing as mine are.
Patti Kahn

Dan, Becky, Landon and Maden Schimel

November 10, 2023

Phillip or Uncle Phill as he would always say, was my 7th and 8th grade art teacher, a family friend and someone who was always generous with his work. My family has numerous pieces of his work including one of his rendition of Noah´s Ark, which was his wedding gift to Becky and I. You will always be with us in our hearts. Love Dan, Becky, Landon and Maden Schimel

Tom Moriarty, Jr.

November 10, 2023

I taught with Phil at Anacostia (Harvey, I was tennis coach). Great artist, great teacher. So sorry to hear of his passing. Condolences and prayers to the family. RIP Phil.

Mark Weinberg

November 10, 2023

May his loving spirit live on in our hearts and the uniquely beautiful art he brought to the world. Farewell, Adam Bright.

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results