Obituary of Roger William Ratcliff

Roger William Ratcliff, 92, died on November 24 at Park Centre in Newton.  A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, November 29 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 223 E. Fourth St. N. in Newton.  The family will greet friends one hour before the service at the church.  A Wednesday, Nov. 28, visitation will be 5:30 - 8:00 in the Garden Room at Park Centre, 500 1st Street North.

   Memorial contributions may be made to Park Centre’s Good Samaritan Fund or St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. 

Roger was born on September 25, 1926, in Lohrville, Iowa, the first child of Walter and Hazel Ratcliff.

He is survived by two daughters, Sally Pobojewski of St. Charles, Illinois and Jane Darrah (Curt) of Des Moines; one son, Scott, of Menlo Park, California; grandson John Pobojewski (Therese) of Elgin, Illinois; granddaughter Sarah Rosenbaum (Michael) of St. Cloud, Minnesota; two great grandchildren, Kate and Evan, with another great granddaughter due in December; step grandchildren Judy, Mary Beth, Matthew and Kristen; and three step great grandchildren; sister-in-law Nancy Ratcliff and niece Jennie Park – both of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Roger was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Milly, who died in 2013; his parents; brother Jim; son-in-law Dan; and nephew Mark.

Roger enlisted in the United States Navy three days after graduating from Lohrville High School in 1944. He served in the Pacific during WW II and then in China until his discharge in 1946. After serving in the Navy, Roger attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids where he met Milly. He received his bachelor's degree from Drake University in 1950. Upon graduation, Roger began teaching at Newton High School and remained there until his retirement. He taught English, History and Psychology to generations of Newton High School students – some of whom helped care for him at Park Centre.

After retirement, Roger developed a passion for antiques. He and Milly specialized in buying and selling antique china, glass and small primitives. They traveled to antique shows from Minnesota to Arkansas and Ohio to Colorado.

The family would like to thank the caring staff at Park Centre and Wesley Hospice who cared for Roger.

Roger was not shy in expressing his opinions; especially about politics. He will be remembered for his dry sense of humor, knowledge of history, love of good conversation and good food. Roger's legacy will be the many students he motivated and inspired during his long career in education.