Kenneth Ratajczak

Kenneth James Ratajczak passed from this life on September 11, 2024, after a 7 month battle with heart failure, with his beloved wife Anne and his dearest daughter Laura whom he called Lulu by his side as he moved on to his Heavenly reward.

Ken was born in South Bend, Indiana, on July 25, 1946, to Benjamin J. Ratajczak, who passed away in 1994, and Gizella (Ella) Cifra Ratajczak who died in 2015.

He attended Catholic school through high school, graduating from St. Joseph High in South Bend; however, he would not consider Notre Dame partly because their undergraduates dated the senior girls from his high school and made it difficult to find available girlfriends. He wanted to be a doctor from a young age, admiring his pediatrician; however, he started at Indiana University only to lose his ambition temporarily and instead enlisted in the Army. So how did he become an MD and an Army Colonel?

While at basic training, he saw a young Lieutenant drinking steaming hot coffee while supervising Ken and others crawl under razor wire carrying their weapons in the mud. He thought to himself, "I can do that!" so he sought out an appointment to West Point. His path took him first to the Prep School and then West Point, US Military Academy. His military bases included Ft Leonard Wood, Ft Bliss, Ft Sam Houston, Fitzsimons (pediatric internship), Pine Bluff (Chief Medical Officer), Fitzsimons (radiology internship), Ft Dix, to combine 12 years active duty as well as time spent as Texas Army National Guard and Army Reserves to qualify for military retirement and having been promoted to Colonel. He was always grateful to the Army for sending him to Indiana University School of Medicine (yes back to IU where it all began). He was proud of his West Point ring and his IU Medical School ring. If Anne (or others) gave medical advice, he loved to ask derisively where we got our medical degrees.

Ken was active throughout life with baseball, tennis, bowling, water volleyball, and officiating baseball and volleyball. He loved the Chicago White Sox and attended their Baseball Fantasy Camp 3 times. He authored a book called The Wrong Man Out about Shoeless Joe Jackson. He visited the Field of Dreams and the Baseball Hall of Fame. He also loved Indiana basketball and the movie Hoosiers.

He was active at St Mary Church of the Assumption in Waco, serving as an usher, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, Lector, and in 2023/2024 was so very proud to sponsor the religious education of Coleman Adams and stand by him at Easter Vigil 2024 despite Ken's declining health. (Actually, the whole wonderful family of 4 "became Catholic" at that Mass.)

Ken was active in Pro-Life activities including Pro Life Waco, 40 Days for Life prayer vigils, and Sidewalk Counseling.

He had been active in the Knights of Columbus organization, serving in several capacities including Grand Knight, Faithful Navigator, and District Deputy.

He was active in the Heart of Texas Military Officers of America Assn, serving a term as President until weeks before his passing.

He loved music and taught himself to play guitar (and later banjo) at age 16. He played in numerous bands, duos, trios, and solo performances. Ken ended his performances with Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA." His favorite artist was John Denver and Ken sang many of his songs including "Annie's Song." A little known fact: Ken was President of Rock Bands at West Point his senior year! Ken & Anne attended at least 65 concerts during their 22 years together; with Anne's sister Kim saying they followed "the geezer tours."

He & Anne traveled extensively, including all 7 continents with Antarctica one of his last trips. Another most recent trip before illness was a Pilgrimage to Mexico City to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He had also been to Israel to walk where Jesus walked, and to Lourdes, France and Fatima, Portugal, and Nevers in France to see the incorrupt body of St Bernadette, and to Paris to see the incorrupt body of St Catherine Laboure.

Ken & Anne traveled at least 42 times out of the country to numerous destinations as well as many US trips. So many memorable trips such as France, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Norway, French Polynesia, Israel, Greece, Italy, Morocco, Turkey, Russia, China, Spain, Galapagos Islands & Ecuador, Machu Picchu & Peru, Brazil, Iceland, Argentina, Antarctica, and many tropical islands. Ken loved a good swim-up bar after some water volleyball.

Some of his favorite sayings were Go Army, Beat Navy, and this other one from West Point: The only answers are Yes Sir, No Sir, No Excuse Sir, and Sir I do not understand. (Reminder there were no women at West Point when Ken graduated in 1972.) Anne's response to that was Yes Sir, No Sir, 3 bags full Sir. While his middle name was James, it should have been "Tired and Cranky" as it was his own description of himself most days.

Ken is survived by his loving wife of 22 years, Anne; daughter, Laura and husband, Steven Penney of Clifton; precious granddaughters, Madison and Kelsey Penney; son, Kevin Ratajczak and wife, Jennifer and their children, Kyle and Abby all of Hopewell Junction, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to:
Walking With Moms in Need
St Mary's Catholic Church
1401 Washington, Waco, 76701, Telephone 254-753-0146