Couple contribute to healthy future for Barrow
Their friends have included Barry Goldwater, Raymond Burr and Terry Savalas. They have traveled all over the world, including Japan, Australia and most of Europe.
But when you talk to Bill and Jane Ratsch of Oro Valley, Arizona, and ask them about the most important and memorable things in their very full lives, Barrow Neurological Institute invariably shows up at the top of the list.
Back in 1995, Bill was catching up with an old friend in New York City when the friend asked how Jane was doing. Bill had to reply, "Not so well. Jane has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor."
Bill's friend suggested that he speak with a doctor in Atlanta, and when he did and mentioned that he lived in Arizona, the doctor immediately said, "The only person you should be talking to is Dr. Robert Spetzler."
Thus began a relationship that continues today. In 1995, Dr. Spetzler performed surgery on Jane, and in 1997, Kris Smith, MD, handled her Gamma Knife surgery. When Jane needed back surgery in 1999, the only place the couple would even consider was Barrow where Curtis Dickman, MD, did the honors. Jane returns to Barrow regularly for check-ups.
"We could not have been more pleased," Bill says. "The quality of the doctors, the nurses and housekeeping was as good as one could ever hope for. We even learned about Durant's, which has become one of our favorite restaurants."
Bill and Jane grew up in New Jersey. When they married in 1954, Bill was an international conference planning consultant, and Jane was a third-grade teacher. Bill served in the Army's infantry and armored cavalry in World War II and as a fighter pilot in the Air Force during the Korean War. He retired from the Air Force Reserve in 1960 as a lieutenant colonel.
Several years ago, the couple made their first life-time income gift to Barrow in the form of a dual-life charitable gift annuity. They have made several other planned gifts since then that will ultimately benefit Barrow Neurological Institute.
"This is truly a win-win situation," Bill says. "We earn interest rates far, far higher than we could get from any CD or money market fund, we get a very large tax deduction, and most of our annual income is tax-free. And, ultimately, Barrow, which we feel so strongly about, will receive money to grow and assist others."
