We regret to advise of the death of Major Richard George Ratcliffe, CD (Ret’d), peacefully, in Victoria, BC on 16 October 2018 at the age of 78.
A native of British Columbia, Richard completed his high school education in Kamloops where he excelled in athletics. He joined the Canadian Forces at Royal Roads Military College, Esquimalt BC, and graduated from Royal Military College, Kingston ON in 1963 with a degree in civil engineering. Richard then served a full 35-year career with the Canadian Military Engineers across Canada at many bases and units and retired at the rank of major from the Base Engineer Section at Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt, BC.
Highlights of Richard’s career included his appointment as Base Construction Engineering Officer at Shilo, MB (1971-74). Early in his career he served as the first Army Combat Diving Officer. Richard also deployed as a Peace Keeper in Egypt with the United Nations Emergency Force. While in the army he obtained a Masters Degree in Business Administration and, following his military service, Richard worked in HMC Dockyard in Esquimalt as the Industrial Engineer in the Ship Repair Unit.
A Celebration of Life will be held on 5 November at 2:00 PM at First Memorial Funeral Services and Garden of Memories, 4725 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC. Online condolences can be sent to the Funeral Home.
