Richard H Ratner

Richard Ratner, age 91, passed away earlier this week. He was the beloved husband of Charlene; devoted father of Laurie (Stephen), Joel (Sheerli), and Jonathan (Chana); and cherished grandfather of Seth (Nicole), Hayley (Leo), Josh, Dov, Zeke, Yael, Julia, Bethy, Avi (Dina), Tova (Yedidya), Chezky (Michal), Moshe (Shira), Shlomo, Yakov, Yitzhak, Esti, and Nati. He was also the proud great-grandfather of Lev, Nathan, Ariella, Elisha, Emuna, Naftali, Akiva, Moriah, Rina, Yiftach, Benny, Netanel, Adina, Aviva, and Gabriel.

Richard was born at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, to Jerry and Sylvia Ratner. He was raised in Lakewood, where he developed a lifelong love of music and served as captain of the band at Lakewood High School, playing first clarinet.

Richard graduated from the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy. Following graduation, he pursued his passion for music by attending one semester at the University of Michigan School of Music, where he marched in the Michigan Wolverine Band.

Richard married Charlene Lopate in 1958. They returned to Cleveland, where Richard worked alongside his father for many years at Ratner’s Pharmacy. He continued serving his community as a pharmacist until the age of 75.

Richard was beloved by his family and by all who knew him. His warm smile and joyful spirit touched the hearts of everyone he met. His love of life, endless optimism, quiet persistence in acts of kindness, and deep devotion to family will continue to inspire all of us.

Funeral services will be on Friday, June 5th at 11:00am at the Berkowitz Kumin Bookatz Memorial Chapel, 1985 S. Taylor Road in Cleveland Heights. Interment will immediately follow at Bet Olam Cemetery, at the corner of Richmond Road and Chagrin Boulevard. To view this service, please scroll down to the Services section and click on “JOIN LIVESTREAM”.

Shiva will be at 23376 Lyman Boulevard in Shaker Heights at the Ratner residence on Sunday morning from 8:00am until 11:00am with Shacharit services starting at 8:00am, from Monday thru Thursday morning, Shacharit will be at 8:00am. From Monday thru Wednesday, Mincha and Maariv will be at 7:10pm. On Sunday shiva will be from 2:00pm until 4:00pm and 7:00pm until 9:00pm. Shiva will continue from Monday until Wednesday from 7:00pm until 9:00pm only.

Donations may be made in Richard’s memory to the Jewish Learning Connection of Cleveland, the Cleveland Orchestra or Park Synagogue.

May his memory always be a blessing.