From University of Chicago News Office

University of Chicago alumnus and former student-athlete Gerald Ratner passed away in his sleep on June 20 at the age of 100.

Ratner played baseball for the Maroons under legendary head coach J. Kyle Anderson in the 1930s. He went on to receive his undergraduate degree in 1935 and graduated from the UChicago Law School in 1937. Ratner became senior partner at the law firm Gould & Ratner. His career as a lawyer spanned more than 75 years in the Chicago area.

Ratner retained close ties to UChicago throughout his life. His generous donation in 1998 led to the building of the Gerald Ratner Athletics Center, which opened its doors in 2003. The center currently serves thousands of patrons weekly as the home for 19 varsity sports, robust intramural and club sports programs, and a bustling recreational facility for the campus community.

His philanthropic efforts and enthusiastic support of the University were recognized over the years with the Law School's Distinguished Law Alumni Award (1999), the University of Chicago Medal (2005) and the Alumni Service Medal (2009).