Past ALTA President Jack Rattikin Jr. Passes Away
September 10, 2024
Jack Rattikin Jr., who served as the 1984-85 ALTA president, died peacefully in his sleep at the age of 90. The title insurance industry icon will be remembered as a devoted family man, attorney, explorer, dreamer, boater, astronomer, driven businessman and Texas Longhorn supporter.
Rattikin Jr. is part of a family legacy in the title insurance industry as his father and son also served as ALTA presidents. Rattikin Jr.’s son, Jack Rattikin III served as ALTA’s 2022-23 president, while his father, Jack Rattikin Sr., was ALTA’s 1939-40 president.
Jack Rattikin Sr. formed Rattikin Title in 1944. Rattikin Jr. served as president and CEO of the title company from 1969 to 2004. He continued to serve as chair of Rattikin Title’s board.
“The Rattikin family is deeply saddened to announce the loss of our beloved father and Rattikin Title Chairman of the Board, Jack Rattikin Jr, who died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by loved ones earlier today. There’s so much that can be said about him and his legacy, yet words don’t come easily at the moment. We will all miss him more than words can express,” the Rattikin family said in a statement.
Rattikin Jr. served in the ROTC while attending the University of Texas. He graduated from Texas in 1956 with a bachelor's degree in business administration and a Bachelor of Law and Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1957. Though he was protected from the draft during law school, Rattikin Jr. joined the army and achieved the rank of captain while overseeing railroad operations for the Transportation Corps in Virginia.
After his service, Rattikin Jr. returned to Texas where he practiced criminal law before joining Rattikin Title in 1969. With over 55 years of professional title insurance experience, he served as president of the Texas Land and Title Association (TLTA) from 1974-1975. He was named the TLTA Title Man of the Year in 1964.
Rattikin Jr. lived his life dedicated to making a difference and improving his community.
“Instead of measuring ourselves on the basis of how much money we have made, how popular we have been, honors we have received, or how busy we have been, perhaps a more pertinent question to ask ourselves is, ‘What difference did we make in our community?’” Rattikin Jr. said in a 1985 TitleNews article.
Rattikin Jr. also greatly cherished the memories and tradition of vacations, whether it was visiting beaches or driving his family by motorhome to countless national parks and historical.
“The lessons learned, and immense appreciation for God’s amazing natural creation that emanated from these family trips, has had a profound impact on all of his children, and now their children. Family time meant everything to Jack, and he made sure that the love of God and family were of primary importance to all,” his obituary read.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Click here to read his obituary.
Contact ALTA at 202-296-3671 or [email protected].