Marvin W Ratcliff
Dad passed peacefully on Feb 16, 2022 after a joyous day spent laughing, being a comic, and telling stories. He was born in Los Angeles, California on May 30, 1931. His mother, Helen Ganiard Harrison was a California girl and his father, Glen Wilfred was raised in Atwood, Kansas. Dad had one older brother, Rollin, and the bond between them was always about a good laugh. Dad was raised on a rabbit ranch in Escondido and the family enjoyed sailing off Catalina Island when times were good.
Dad loved rocks (the more gold the better), clowning, tennis, hunting, philosophy, stained glass, antiques, oil painting and a myriad of other things.
Dad liked to say he was a 49’er, that being the year he graduated from high school. The day after his 18th birthday he left California and started his cowboy life in Arizona. He had his dad’s 32-40 lever action Marlin for taking deer, wild pigs and mountain lions. He was a plumber’s assistant part time and a part time student at Northern Arizona University (NAU). He was a student so long that the professors told him to just pick a degree and graduate. So he selected geology. During this time he met mom, Dorothy, in the NAU library, they married shortly after in Albuquerque. They married while dad was studying at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro, New Mexico, He completed his Masters in Economic Geology and off to the exploration fields they went!
Dad’s work included chasing precious metals with employers including Cyprus Amax, Phelps Dodge, Bunker Hill, Anaconda Co., Atlantic Richfield Corp., Western Minerals Exploration, GoldSil Mining & Milling, etc. He started his career in his 30’s and enjoyed both underground and surface geology. The education bug got dad again early in his career so he pursued post-graduate studies in economic geology and mining engineering at the University of Arizona. This gave dad the opportunity to study the geology and geochronology of the Marysville district (Montana). What wonderful summers those were living in the forest near Marysville and coming into town for mail and candy!
Aside from Dad’s geology career, which took the family to mining camps all over the west (including Bisbee, Kellogg, Butte, Park City(UT), Nye (MT), and then Helena), dad had many hobbies and interests. Many reading this may know dad from playing a mean game of tennis or having tennis lessons! Perhaps you enjoyed a good verbal bout at Toastmasters over the some odd 60 years? His enjoyment of clowning may have entertained you in parades and hopefully made you chuckle. Or did you philosophize with dad at Socrates and did you leave feeling more enlightened? Let’s see if you know dad from stained glass work – he restored so many antique windows and developed some beautiful and complicated creations. It is likely you have seen his beautiful oil paintings of outdoor and mining settings. There is no cloud that he would not attempt to paint. Oh! You could well know dad from a gem and mineral club? Bottle collectors club? Antiques? Wheat Growers Association? St. Pauls’ Methodist Church? As a 3rd generation Masonic Lodge member, maybe you socialized with dad recently with Ottawa #51 in Marysville? Or any other barrage of business dealings including gold placer properties, wheat farming or looking for the ‘next great stock’ to invest in.
Dad and mom’s story together is best read in mom’s obituary (see www.aswfuneralhome.com, Nov 20, 2021). We covered their active life and story that may have included activities that also wove your lives together.
A special thanks to the great staff and family at Touchmark that allowed mom and dad to age gracefully and with dignity.
We look back on the days that seemed to make dad most happy – and it generally involved a rock pick high in the mountains with family and dogs. Dad would want you to find your happy place and involve those you love.
Marvin is survived by daughter Sonya (Scott) Rosenthal of Butte, son Russ (Kendall) of Helena, granddaughters Erin (Jake) Eveland with granddaughter Lily, Anita (Peter) Mathews, and Jeana Ratcliff
A ‘Final Hurrah’ for Dorothy and Marvin will be held March 12, starting at 1pm at the Marysville Historical General Store / Cotton Club, Marysville, MT. Queries can be made to Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home for more details. In lieu of flowers for dad, please consider sending a memorial to the Shriners Children’s Hospital (www.shrinerschildrens.org/giving or Algeria Shrine, PO Box 1174, Helena, MT 59624).
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
1:00 p.m.
Saturday March 12, 2022
Marysville General Store/Cotton Club
124 Main Street
Marysville, Montana 59640
Service Schedule
Celebration of Life
1:00 p.m.
Saturday March 12, 2022
Marysville General Store/Cotton Club
124 Main Street
Marysville, Montana 59640
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Michael arnold says
I loved Marvin we connected in many ways, work travel, love of the outdoors. Talking sports. Marvin was a patient of mine for a variety of ailments over nearly 30 years so I really got to know him and also Dorothy. What very special and whole some people. I hope he finds the biggest gold nugget wherever he goes Good knowing you Marvin and Dorothy
Love. Michael Arnold. PT.
Ken Coman says
I enjoyed talking with and playing tennis with Marvin. I smile when I recall Marvin and Phil Powers playing tennis. Drop shots and lobs.
Robin Holcomb says
Marvin was a good friend and experienced advisor to me as a young geology graduate student. Good memories!
Joe Moran says
Marvin and I go back to 1971. Long before either of us got married. Marvin and Dorothy and family actually came to our wedding in 1965 in Billings. We had many adventures together. He was my best friend.
Joe Moran says
Got the date wrong. We met in September 1959.
John and Jeanne says
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. Our hearts go out to you. Please know that during this difficult time you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Russ & Ann Martin says
My wife, Ann and I met Marvin as a classmate at what is now Northern Arizona University in 1953 or 4. We have been friends ever since. He came to our wedding in 1956. We left Arizona for the next 15 years or so but caught up with him again when we returned to Tucson in 1972. We have many too many memories of Marvin to tell here but his one-of-a kind personality and odd but gentle sense of humor will be greatly missed.
Bruce &Gayle Perry says
Marvin and Dorothy were the first tennis players we met! We all helped putting up the bubble and taking it down every year! They were fun and we loved playing with them. We are glad they are again united. Bruce and Gayle Perry
Carol Stebbins says
I, too, was a tennis “buddy” of your parents and always enjoyed seeing and playing with them. They were such a
neat and delightful couple . My sincerest sympathy.
Carol Stebbins
Laurie Crutcher says
I had the privilege of knowing both Marvin and Dorothy through tennis. They kept me playing and I loved playing doubles with both of them. I remember watching Dorothy play in November (before indoor courts) with her cute little turban on because she was going through chemo. Her courage was inspiring to me. And Marvin had this red t-shirt with a target on it that he would play in daring you to hit him. Miss them both.