Obituary of Walt Ratterman

Walter "Walt" John Ratterman unexpectedly passed away on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 at the Hotel Montana in Port-au-Prince, Haiti during the devastating earthquake. Born on February 14, 1952 in Louisville, Kentucky to Leo and Barbara Ratterman, Walt was 57 years old. At age 12, Walt became the CEO of Otis Painting Company in Towson, Maryland working there until he was 18. He was a graduate and Salutatorian of Towson Catholic High School and also received a diploma from the Peabody Institute of the City of Baltimore Conservatory of Music on May 31, 1969. Upon graduating he enrolled and attended Johns Hopkins University for a degree in Engineering, then attended Arizona State University for a degree in Electrical Contracting, and finally received a Master's Degree in Electrical Science and Engineering for Renewable Energy Technology from Murdoch University. During this time he also enlisted and honorably served in the United States Army Reserve from 1972-1978. After college, Walt worked for H.P. Foley from 1970-1985 becoming the company's Vice-President for their Alaskan Branch, Foley P.M.I. In 1985 he started TRC Electrical Construction Inc. in Phoenix, Maryland. In 2004 he was one of three founders to start up SunEnergy Power International where he became CEO in 2008 of their non-profit division. Walt's true passion came in his missionary work. He was one of two non-Asian Commissioners of the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu-Chi Foundation, worked in disaster relief for the Afghan people making numerous trips from 2001-2004, introduced sustainable energy to the newly appointed Afghan Assembly Government, appeared in the documentary by Academy Award Nominee Adrian Belic's "Beyond The Call" about his missionary work in Afghanistan, The Philippines, and Burma, and traveled to over thirty countries for aid, relief, and sustainable energy efforts. From 1999-Present Walt was a member of the Knights of Malta for Knightsbridge International. In 2004 he was knighted making him Sir Walt Ratterman. In 2003 he was commissioned a Colonel by the Honorable Order of the Kentucky Colonels. Outside of his philanthropy work, Walt enjoyed playing the piano, bike riding, and being an avid reader; always reading books from the countries he's visited. Most of all, Walt enjoyed spending time with his friends and family. Walt is survived by his loving wife of 38 years Jeanne at home, daughter Briana (Mark) Ratterman of Portland, Oregon, son Shane (Jess) Ratterman, of Edgewater, Maryland, father Leo Ratterman of Parkville, Maryland, brother Paul (Una) Ratterman of Maui, Hawaii, sisters Barbara (Jeff) Miller of Freeland, Maryland, and Aimee (Jeff) Ratterman of Towson, Maryland, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, as well as Jeanne's family, the Fords. He was preceded in death by his mother Barbara Ratterman in 2001. There will be a Celebration of Walt's life on Saturday, February 20th at 11:00 am at Grace Foursquare Church: 717 SE Everett St., Camas, WA 98607. The family requests donations, as a lasting tribute, are sent to www.sunepi.org to continue Walt's vision of solar energy in developing countries, www.kbi.org to help the Knightsbridge International Relief Missions, or www.solarenergy.org to help fund young technicians from developing countries to study solar technology at Solar Energy International. To send condolences or to sign the online guest books, please visit www.facebook.com search under "Walt Ratterman Haiti Mission," email memories@sunepi.org to offer stories and pictures of Walt, or visit www.brownsfh.com. Brown's Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Camas has been entrusted with arrangements.