Deceased Members–2008

In Memory of Dr. Michael Ratliff

Dr. Michael Irven Ratliff, ASA, 63, passed away in on Feb. 4, 2008. He was born on Oct. 26, 1944 to Irven and Edith Ratliff in Williston, N.D., the younger of two children. He graduated with a B.S. in mathematics and physics and graduated with a M.A. from Colorado State University, and later a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

The love of the mountains, skiing and hiking brought Ratliff to Flagstaff, Ariz. in 1976 where he began teaching as a professor of mathematics and statistics at Northern Arizona University. He was a cornerstone of the Mathematics and Statistics Department having chaired the department from 1981–86 and 1991–92. He was responsible for numerous curriculum changes which included developing and directing the Actuarial Science Program in the department. As an Associate of the Society of Actuaries, Dr. Ratliff was involved with actuarial education throughout the southwest. Furthermore, he published extensively in academic journals, received numerous grants and was passionate about his students. He was an outstanding teacher and received several Teacher of the Year awards from the department, the college and the university. Dr. Ratliff was a member of the American Statistical Association, Mathematical Association of America, the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the Southwest Actuarial Education and Research Consortium.

He successfully balanced a busy scholastic career with an equally accomplished outdoor life which included riding his mountain bike from the border of Mexico to Canada in 1988. He was a proficient skier, frequently logging 40–plus day seasons on the slopes of Snow Bowl and ski areas in Canada, Europe and every state in the West.

Dr. Ratliff is survived by his wife and soul mate, Dr. Janet M. McShane of Flagstaff; son Nicholas Ratliff of Durango, Colo.; sister Sandra Ratliff of Walla Walla, Wash. and numerous in–laws, cousins, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents Irven and Edith Ratliff.

Donations may be made to the Johnson–Ratliff Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Northern Arizona University.