Ratke Creates Lasting Legacy with a Planned Gift from a Charitable Remainder Trust

Dr. Henry V. Ratke, B.S. 1937

Dr. Henry V. Ratke (1915-2006) led an extraordinary life; he served as a physician in the U.S. Air Force Medical Corps, was a leading surgeon, and held the rank of Fourth Degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus. Throughout all this, Dr. Ratke remained deeply involved with The Catholic University of America, where he received his B.S. in 1937. He served on the University’s Alumni Association Board of Governors and the National Alumni Association and was a member of the President’s Club and the Chancellor’s Club.

During his time as a student, he built treasured memories performing with Catholic University’s brass band. These fond memories led him to generously designate Catholic University’s Department of Music as the beneficiary of his daughter Margaret Mary’s charitable remainder trust after her passing. This trust not only provided support and security to his daughter during her lifetime but also nearly $185,000 for the music program as a lasting legacy that honors both Dr. Ratke and Margaret Mary.

Building treasured memories of their own and participating in their grandfather’s legacy, two of Dr. Ratke’s grandchildren are Catholic University graduates: Joseph A. Ratke (B.S.Arch. 2005) and Patrick M. Ratke (B.A. 2009, M.S.M. 2015). Among the treasured memories of his grandfather, Patrick recollects that “he truly was a man of faith and was always willing to give back. There is not a doubt in my mind that this ethos was strengthened from his time at Catholic University. He wrote the University’s motto, Deus Lux Mea Est, in every book from his library. I believe that he truly believed this and lived his life that way, so it is no surprise that he named the scholarship after my Aunt Peggy.”

To learn more about charitable remainder trusts and other forms of planned gifts, contact Isabel de la Puente at 202-319-6914 or delapuente@cua.edu.