My most sincere sympathy’s to all the family! All my love and all my care for all!!Elise Altenbernd
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With love from Katherine’s mother.
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I never met Eric but heard lots about him over the years. I am close friends with his sister Allison and know how special he was to her. Our whole family has been saddened to hear of your tremendous loss and cannot express how sorry we are to hear of Eric’s passing. If Eric was anything like his sister described, he’ll be missed dearly by his friends and family. My deepest condolences and wishes for you all to garner the strength you’ll need to get through this difficult time.
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My first memory of Eric was on a high school field trip to a jazz band competition. While 95% of the bus was engaged in all manner of horseplay, Eric, an underclassman, sat in one of the front rows, head down, practice sticks out, quietly drumming patterns on his lap. I could see then that he was locked in to his music and his craft, despite any distractions around him.
Through Eric’s close friendship with my brother James from around that time onward, my family was lucky to follow his abundant and exciting pursuits and passions over the years, and he became like another brother to all of us. As anyone who saw the two of them play music together could testify, their side-by-side duo-drumming performances were powerful, electrifying, and visceral experiences that would inspire anyone within earshot (which was probably several miles).
Eric's boundless positive energy and enthusiasm were infectious and could bring levity to any situation. He was always armed with a seemingly endless and well-earned array of knowledge on any subject, from poetry and music to economic and political theory. He welcomed conversation, would challenge any popular opinion, and could deftly debate any topic. But Eric did not just consider life- he lived it to the fullest. He was never without kindness and empathy for those around him, and a visible deep love for his closest friends. To Emma, Marsha, and Eric’s entire family, we are so sorry for your incalculable loss, and our hearts are with you.
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Emma, we are so sorry for your loss and we, too, share in the loss of Eric. He was such a kind, loving and caring person who we always looked forward to talking with. He was all about family and we really loved hearing about you, Pearl and Asa. He was so proud of you all. We are blessed to have had him in our lives. He will be dearly missed but not forgotten. Our hearts go out to you and your family.
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Emma, Pearl and Asa - we are so incredibly sorry to hear of Eric's loss. We are absolutely heartbroken and are sending you and your extended family all of our love and condolences.
Eric has been so important in our lives these past couple of years. We will miss his wisdom, his kindness, our concerts together, and our biweekly Taco Bell dinners. We will hold him, and your family, in our hearts and will forever be grateful for our time together. ❤️
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Emma, I am heartbroken to hear this tragic news. My heartfelt prayers to you and the children and your extended family. May you feel the love and support by so many being poured out to you.
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Eric had been my advisor for many years. I always looked forward to visits with him. I echo the sentiments herein where people describe him as genuinely interested in others. He always remembered details and asked questions that showed he cared. He was a top noch advisor as well! It is clear that he was well-liked by all who knew him and I’m certain well-loved by those closest to him. He was a good person taken much too soon. May all these wonderful stories and tributes give you strength and warm your hearts as you deal with his loss. 🤗
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I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Eric over the past 18 years or so through multiple stages of both of our lives. There are plenty of things that I could focus on in remembering him, but the thing that is most uniquely Eric (to me) is his genuine interest in people. He finds people legimitately interesting. And he wants everyone to be happy.
What do you want to talk about? Work? Sure. Music? Sure. Sports? Sure. Bourbon? Sure. 😂 There are plenty of times I probably bored him beyond belief. I always appreciated how someone so smart could be more interested in what (and how) someone else thought or felt than being right or spurring more debate. He collected conversations and experiences in a way that wasn’t self-serving and his phone was so ancient that he couldn’t have saved the moment for posterity if he wanted to (the photo he sent me from the Meshuggah concert we planned to go to together might as well have been a closeup of a candle from Bed Bath & Beyond for all I know).
I’ll really miss Eric, selfishly, because family time won’t be the same without him for me. I will be so sad for his kids and nieces and nephews because they won’t get to know their crazy Dad and uncle. But mostly I’ll be so sad for him because watching him with his kids and with his nieces and nephews; it’s the time I see him the most exuberant and giving of himself in a way that you didn’t want to interrupt to bring him back to an adult mindset.
Truly just an N of one and someone we’ll mourn with tears and with laughter as long as we’re all around.
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Emma, I am so sorry for this tragic loss. I'm holding you in the most heartfelt prayers. May you be granted grace and courage now and for years to come.
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I'm so sorry to hear of Eric's passing. It seems like yesterday when I helped train Eric to replace me at Merrill. While I didn't know him for long, his kindness, curiosity, and intelligence gave me confidence that I'd be leaving things in great hands. He will be missed.
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This was tough to hear. Eric was such a fun member of the KJE. I'll always remember his crazy laugh, and his ribbing of me after practice. Deepest sympathy to your family on the loss of an incredible partner and father.
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So sorry to hear of Eric’s passing. Such a wonderful father and great son.
My love to all, Marilynn Likly
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My deepest condolences to the Ratzel Family. Eric was one of the most knowledgeable and compassionate people I've ever met. I'll miss having our conversations on the markets, the world and fatherhood. The world was a better place with you in it.
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Emma and family, I’m so sorry to hear of Eric’s passing. Wishing you all strength and peace in the days and months ahead as you mourn your loss and celebrate his life. ❤️❤️❤️ Danielle (from Be Well)
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Our hearts are broken with hearing of Eric’s untimely passing. He has been our financial advisor for several years and always made us feel comfortable with our mutual planning. He would share the latest on Emma and Asa and we would fill him in on the latest with our kids and grandkids and we knew he was truly interested in hearing about them. Eric made it his mission to get to know us as people. That helped him guide us in financial decisions. We knew we were in good hands from the beginning. He was a young man endowed with understanding, empathy, expertise, broad intelligence, inquisitiveness and humor. He shall be missed. Sending peace and strength to Emma, Pearl, and Asa and the rest of Eric’s family.
Cheryl and Skip Knee
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Emma, Pearl, and Asa- It's heartbreaking and moving to see all of these pictures of Eric, your Dad. They capture his warmth, humor, and curiosity. I'm so very, very sorry for your loss. xoxoxo
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To the Ratzel family - I worked with Eric briefly and I am saddened to hear of his passing. Eric had a great personality and brightened our work environment. My deepest condolences to all of you.
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So very sorry for your loss. I've only known Eric for a little over a year, but his personality and sincerity is what made him the exceptional person that he was. We will be truly missed.
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I’m so very sorry Emma, sending you so much love and support. Love, Amy
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