George Ratz Obituary

George Ratz III 1933- 2025 George "Ron" Ratz passed away peacefully on June 23.

He is survived by his wife, Winifred Ratz; step-daughter Stephanie Beddows; step-son Michael Beddows (Juli Moticka Beddows); step-grandchildren Rowan, Beck, Zane, and Cora; brother Lee Ratz, (Virginia); sister Linda Reisdorff (Gene); nieces Janet (Alex) Estrada and Shelley (Danny) Segura; nephews Jerry (Thelma) Ratz and Kirk Ratz, and grand-nephews Ben Ratz and Dylan Segura.

George Ron Ratz was born December 13, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in various cities in Illinois. When the Korean War broke out, he enlisted in the Air Force and was soon chosen for pilot training. He became a pilot and flew fixed wings, multiengine B-47s and C-135s in the Vietnam War.

Ron and Mary Alice Hoerdt married and enjoyed time together before ongoing health problems with Mary made it necessary for Ron to leave active service and he entered the Air National Guard in Brooklyn to fly C-97s and later KC-97s, providing air-to-air refueling in Germany.

There were no children born to the marriage. Mary passed away from metastatic breast cancer in 1987. Ron was a full-time Air Technician in the Guard and flew all unit test flights. Ron and Win were married in 1989 in Hamilton Square, New Jersey. After retiring from the military, he flew for corporate and civilian airlines and worked as an inspector for the FAA. Ron enjoyed hiking, reading, music, cats, dogs, volunteering at the COMEA shelter, and continued to fly small Piper planes until the last few years. Ron was a member of Highlands Presbyterian Church.

Cremation has taken place, and Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, July 9, at 2 p.m. at Highlands Presbyterian Church, 2390 Pattison Ave.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the COMEA shelter of Cheyenne.