Donald K. Ratty
1926 - 2006
Donald K. Ratty Services: Tues., Feb. 14, 1:00 p.m. Donald K. Ratty, 79, a native of San Diego, CA and longtime resident of Bakersfield, CA, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, in Arroyo Grande, CA after struggling with long term effects from a stroke. An informal graveside service will be held Tuesday, February 14, 2006, at 1:00 p.m., at El Cajon Cemetery, 2080 Dehesa Rd., in El Cajon, California. Don was born on December 30, 1926, in San Diego, CA. He attended Hoover High School in San Diego and then served in the Airforce until the end of WWII. Don did his undergraduate work at the University of Colorado, at Boulder, then went on to study Optometry at the University of California, Berkeley. He married Doris V. Haulman in 1952 and they raised four children together in El Cajon. In 1970 Don moved to Bakersfield where he would live for 30 years. He owned and operated a successful Optometric business in the downtown area and was very active in the Downtown Businessmans Association. He was always very dedicated to his business and employees. Don was also interested in local politics and served as a city councilman for 12 years. Don enjoyed flying as a lifelong passion. He was flying gliders off the cliffs of Torrey Pines in San Diego in the 1950s and owned three different fixed wing planes in his life. He flew extensively in the States and made trips to Alaska, the Bahamas, and Baja, CA. In the 1970s Don discovered Hang Gliding and as a highlight flew from Mt. Whitney up the Owens Valley in his hang glider. Don was always physically active and fit and loved adventure. His pursuits included many river rafting trips and long distance bicycling trips. A very social, caring person, with a great sense of humor, he was always ready for a good time with friends and family. Don was, and will always be, well loved and appreciated. In 2001 Don relocated to the central coast of California after a stroke, where he was closer to his daughter, son and grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Doris and his son, Mark. Don is survived by his daughter, Susan; his son, Scott; 4 grandchildren; and his brother, Frank Ratty, Jr. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity. Lady Family Mortuary (805) 489-4717 Legacy.com
Published in the Bakersfield Californian on 2/12/2006.
Former city councilman, optometrist Ratty dies
By JESSICA LOGAN, Californian staff writer
e-mail: [email protected]
Posted: Sunday February 12th, 2006, 10:20 PM
Last Updated: Sunday February 12th, 2006, 10:38 PM
Longtime former Bakersfield city councilman and optometrist Donald K. Ratty died Wednesday. He was 79 years old.
Ratty served on the council for 12 years, mainly during the 1980s, his children said.
"There were some egos on that council among some folks," said political consultant Mark Abernathy, Ratty's former neighbor and a force behind his campaigns. "Don suffered them with a lot of patience and was one of the anchors on the council that would get things done regardless."
Ratty grew up in San Diego and served in the U.S. Air Force.
"He would have been a pilot but he didn't have the eyes," son Scott Ratty said.
After serving in the military he graduated from optometry school at the University of California, Berkeley.
He married Doris V. Haulman in 1952 and had four children in El Cajon.
Ratty moved to Bakersfield in 1970 and opened an optometry business here.
Ratty's son Steve also is an optometrist in Bakersfield, but they had a falling out in the early 1990s. He declined an interview request.
Scott Ratty remembered how accepting his father was.
"I am gay and he was totally fine with that," Scott Ratty said. "He didn't care about that ... He cared about what's on the inside."
His daughter Susan Ratty-Seeman remembered him as a giving and encouraging man.
She wanted to become a flight attendant, but her parents encouraged her to go to school first.
When she wanted to travel out of state to advance her schooling, her father gave her his car, to replace the first car he had given to her.
The family took many trips outdoors, biking and rafting.
Donald Ratty also had a pilot license and owned airplanes throughout his life.
He retired about six years ago and had a stroke about a year or two later. He then moved to the Central Coast.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at El Cajon Cemetery, 2080 Dehesa Road.
The Bakersfield Californian
February 13, 2006
1926 - 2006
Donald K. Ratty Services: Tues., Feb. 14, 1:00 p.m. Donald K. Ratty, 79, a native of San Diego, CA and longtime resident of Bakersfield, CA, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, in Arroyo Grande, CA after struggling with long term effects from a stroke. An informal graveside service will be held Tuesday, February 14, 2006, at 1:00 p.m., at El Cajon Cemetery, 2080 Dehesa Rd., in El Cajon, California. Don was born on December 30, 1926, in San Diego, CA. He attended Hoover High School in San Diego and then served in the Airforce until the end of WWII. Don did his undergraduate work at the University of Colorado, at Boulder, then went on to study Optometry at the University of California, Berkeley. He married Doris V. Haulman in 1952 and they raised four children together in El Cajon. In 1970 Don moved to Bakersfield where he would live for 30 years. He owned and operated a successful Optometric business in the downtown area and was very active in the Downtown Businessmans Association. He was always very dedicated to his business and employees. Don was also interested in local politics and served as a city councilman for 12 years. Don enjoyed flying as a lifelong passion. He was flying gliders off the cliffs of Torrey Pines in San Diego in the 1950s and owned three different fixed wing planes in his life. He flew extensively in the States and made trips to Alaska, the Bahamas, and Baja, CA. In the 1970s Don discovered Hang Gliding and as a highlight flew from Mt. Whitney up the Owens Valley in his hang glider. Don was always physically active and fit and loved adventure. His pursuits included many river rafting trips and long distance bicycling trips. A very social, caring person, with a great sense of humor, he was always ready for a good time with friends and family. Don was, and will always be, well loved and appreciated. In 2001 Don relocated to the central coast of California after a stroke, where he was closer to his daughter, son and grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Doris and his son, Mark. Don is survived by his daughter, Susan; his son, Scott; 4 grandchildren; and his brother, Frank Ratty, Jr. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity. Lady Family Mortuary (805) 489-4717 Legacy.com
Published in the Bakersfield Californian on 2/12/2006.
Former city councilman, optometrist Ratty dies
By JESSICA LOGAN, Californian staff writer
e-mail: [email protected]
Posted: Sunday February 12th, 2006, 10:20 PM
Last Updated: Sunday February 12th, 2006, 10:38 PM
Longtime former Bakersfield city councilman and optometrist Donald K. Ratty died Wednesday. He was 79 years old.
Ratty served on the council for 12 years, mainly during the 1980s, his children said.
"There were some egos on that council among some folks," said political consultant Mark Abernathy, Ratty's former neighbor and a force behind his campaigns. "Don suffered them with a lot of patience and was one of the anchors on the council that would get things done regardless."
Ratty grew up in San Diego and served in the U.S. Air Force.
"He would have been a pilot but he didn't have the eyes," son Scott Ratty said.
After serving in the military he graduated from optometry school at the University of California, Berkeley.
He married Doris V. Haulman in 1952 and had four children in El Cajon.
Ratty moved to Bakersfield in 1970 and opened an optometry business here.
Ratty's son Steve also is an optometrist in Bakersfield, but they had a falling out in the early 1990s. He declined an interview request.
Scott Ratty remembered how accepting his father was.
"I am gay and he was totally fine with that," Scott Ratty said. "He didn't care about that ... He cared about what's on the inside."
His daughter Susan Ratty-Seeman remembered him as a giving and encouraging man.
She wanted to become a flight attendant, but her parents encouraged her to go to school first.
When she wanted to travel out of state to advance her schooling, her father gave her his car, to replace the first car he had given to her.
The family took many trips outdoors, biking and rafting.
Donald Ratty also had a pilot license and owned airplanes throughout his life.
He retired about six years ago and had a stroke about a year or two later. He then moved to the Central Coast.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at El Cajon Cemetery, 2080 Dehesa Road.
The Bakersfield Californian
February 13, 2006
Donald K. Ratty
1926 - 2006
Donald K. Ratty Services: Tues., Feb. 14, 1:00 p.m. Donald K. Ratty, 79, a native of San Diego, CA and longtime resident of Bakersfield, CA, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, in Arroyo Grande, CA after struggling with long term effects from a stroke. An informal graveside service will be held Tuesday, February 14, 2006, at 1:00 p.m., at El Cajon Cemetery, 2080 Dehesa Rd., in El Cajon, California. Don was born on December 30, 1926, in San Diego, CA. He attended Hoover High School in San Diego and then served in the Airforce until the end of WWII. Don did his undergraduate work at the University of Colorado, at Boulder, then went on to study Optometry at the University of California, Berkeley. He married Doris V. Haulman in 1952 and they raised four children together in El Cajon. In 1970 Don moved to Bakersfield where he would live for 30 years. He owned and operated a successful Optometric business in the downtown area and was very active in the Downtown Businessmans Association. He was always very dedicated to his business and employees. Don was also interested in local politics and served as a city councilman for 12 years. Don enjoyed flying as a lifelong passion. He was flying gliders off the cliffs of Torrey Pines in San Diego in the 1950s and owned three different fixed wing planes in his life. He flew extensively in the States and made trips to Alaska, the Bahamas, and Baja, CA. In the 1970s Don discovered Hang Gliding and as a highlight flew from Mt. Whitney up the Owens Valley in his hang glider. Don was always physically active and fit and loved adventure. His pursuits included many river rafting trips and long distance bicycling trips. A very social, caring person, with a great sense of humor, he was always ready for a good time with friends and family. Don was, and will always be, well loved and appreciated. In 2001 Don relocated to the central coast of California after a stroke, where he was closer to his daughter, son and grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Doris and his son, Mark. Don is survived by his daughter, Susan; his son, Scott; 4 grandchildren; and his brother, Frank Ratty, Jr. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity. Lady Family Mortuary (805) 489-4717 Legacy.com
Published in the Bakersfield Californian on 2/12/2006.
Former city councilman, optometrist Ratty dies
By JESSICA LOGAN, Californian staff writer
e-mail: [email protected]
Posted: Sunday February 12th, 2006, 10:20 PM
Last Updated: Sunday February 12th, 2006, 10:38 PM
Longtime former Bakersfield city councilman and optometrist Donald K. Ratty died Wednesday. He was 79 years old.
Ratty served on the council for 12 years, mainly during the 1980s, his children said.
"There were some egos on that council among some folks," said political consultant Mark Abernathy, Ratty's former neighbor and a force behind his campaigns. "Don suffered them with a lot of patience and was one of the anchors on the council that would get things done regardless."
Ratty grew up in San Diego and served in the U.S. Air Force.
"He would have been a pilot but he didn't have the eyes," son Scott Ratty said.
After serving in the military he graduated from optometry school at the University of California, Berkeley.
He married Doris V. Haulman in 1952 and had four children in El Cajon.
Ratty moved to Bakersfield in 1970 and opened an optometry business here.
Ratty's son Steve also is an optometrist in Bakersfield, but they had a falling out in the early 1990s. He declined an interview request.
Scott Ratty remembered how accepting his father was.
"I am gay and he was totally fine with that," Scott Ratty said. "He didn't care about that ... He cared about what's on the inside."
His daughter Susan Ratty-Seeman remembered him as a giving and encouraging man.
She wanted to become a flight attendant, but her parents encouraged her to go to school first.
When she wanted to travel out of state to advance her schooling, her father gave her his car, to replace the first car he had given to her.
The family took many trips outdoors, biking and rafting.
Donald Ratty also had a pilot license and owned airplanes throughout his life.
He retired about six years ago and had a stroke about a year or two later. He then moved to the Central Coast.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at El Cajon Cemetery, 2080 Dehesa Road.
The Bakersfield Californian
February 13, 2006
1926 - 2006
Donald K. Ratty Services: Tues., Feb. 14, 1:00 p.m. Donald K. Ratty, 79, a native of San Diego, CA and longtime resident of Bakersfield, CA, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, in Arroyo Grande, CA after struggling with long term effects from a stroke. An informal graveside service will be held Tuesday, February 14, 2006, at 1:00 p.m., at El Cajon Cemetery, 2080 Dehesa Rd., in El Cajon, California. Don was born on December 30, 1926, in San Diego, CA. He attended Hoover High School in San Diego and then served in the Airforce until the end of WWII. Don did his undergraduate work at the University of Colorado, at Boulder, then went on to study Optometry at the University of California, Berkeley. He married Doris V. Haulman in 1952 and they raised four children together in El Cajon. In 1970 Don moved to Bakersfield where he would live for 30 years. He owned and operated a successful Optometric business in the downtown area and was very active in the Downtown Businessmans Association. He was always very dedicated to his business and employees. Don was also interested in local politics and served as a city councilman for 12 years. Don enjoyed flying as a lifelong passion. He was flying gliders off the cliffs of Torrey Pines in San Diego in the 1950s and owned three different fixed wing planes in his life. He flew extensively in the States and made trips to Alaska, the Bahamas, and Baja, CA. In the 1970s Don discovered Hang Gliding and as a highlight flew from Mt. Whitney up the Owens Valley in his hang glider. Don was always physically active and fit and loved adventure. His pursuits included many river rafting trips and long distance bicycling trips. A very social, caring person, with a great sense of humor, he was always ready for a good time with friends and family. Don was, and will always be, well loved and appreciated. In 2001 Don relocated to the central coast of California after a stroke, where he was closer to his daughter, son and grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Doris and his son, Mark. Don is survived by his daughter, Susan; his son, Scott; 4 grandchildren; and his brother, Frank Ratty, Jr. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity. Lady Family Mortuary (805) 489-4717 Legacy.com
Published in the Bakersfield Californian on 2/12/2006.
Former city councilman, optometrist Ratty dies
By JESSICA LOGAN, Californian staff writer
e-mail: [email protected]
Posted: Sunday February 12th, 2006, 10:20 PM
Last Updated: Sunday February 12th, 2006, 10:38 PM
Longtime former Bakersfield city councilman and optometrist Donald K. Ratty died Wednesday. He was 79 years old.
Ratty served on the council for 12 years, mainly during the 1980s, his children said.
"There were some egos on that council among some folks," said political consultant Mark Abernathy, Ratty's former neighbor and a force behind his campaigns. "Don suffered them with a lot of patience and was one of the anchors on the council that would get things done regardless."
Ratty grew up in San Diego and served in the U.S. Air Force.
"He would have been a pilot but he didn't have the eyes," son Scott Ratty said.
After serving in the military he graduated from optometry school at the University of California, Berkeley.
He married Doris V. Haulman in 1952 and had four children in El Cajon.
Ratty moved to Bakersfield in 1970 and opened an optometry business here.
Ratty's son Steve also is an optometrist in Bakersfield, but they had a falling out in the early 1990s. He declined an interview request.
Scott Ratty remembered how accepting his father was.
"I am gay and he was totally fine with that," Scott Ratty said. "He didn't care about that ... He cared about what's on the inside."
His daughter Susan Ratty-Seeman remembered him as a giving and encouraging man.
She wanted to become a flight attendant, but her parents encouraged her to go to school first.
When she wanted to travel out of state to advance her schooling, her father gave her his car, to replace the first car he had given to her.
The family took many trips outdoors, biking and rafting.
Donald Ratty also had a pilot license and owned airplanes throughout his life.
He retired about six years ago and had a stroke about a year or two later. He then moved to the Central Coast.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at El Cajon Cemetery, 2080 Dehesa Road.
The Bakersfield Californian
February 13, 2006
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