Remembering Rick Ratliff, Witty Detroit Journalist

Ratliff, a former Detroit Free Press reporter and columnist, died at 73 after a battle with cancer.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 5:39am

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Rick Ratliff, a longtime reporter and columnist for the Detroit Free Press known for his wit, versatility, and boundless curiosity, died on November 27 at the age of 73. Ratliff had a distinguished career covering a wide range of topics, from lifestyle features to the personal computing revolution, before transitioning to the business side of journalism to help guide the Free Press's move to digital publication.

Why it matters

Ratliff's passing marks the end of an era for the Detroit Free Press, where his unique blend of humor, insight, and passion for storytelling made him a beloved figure. His career trajectory also reflects the broader changes in the news industry, as journalists like Ratliff navigated the shift from print to digital media.

The details

Ratliff, who died of cholangiocarcinoma, spent nearly four decades at the Detroit Free Press, starting in the lifestyle section and later covering business and technology. He was known for his sharp wit, exuberance, and ability to find the fascinating details in any story. After leaving the newsroom in 1998, Ratliff joined the Free Press's new media team, helping to guide the transition to digital publication. He later worked in new media at the Campbell Ewald advertising firm and as chief marketing officer for student publications at the University of Michigan, where he retired in 2013.

  • Ratliff died on Thanksgiving, November 27.
  • A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, January 31.

The players

Rick Ratliff

A former Detroit Free Press reporter and columnist known for his wit, versatility, and boundless curiosity.

Lindsay Olson

Ratliff's wife of 39 years.

Joe Grimm

A former Free Press editor who described Ratliff as having "a sharp wit that never cut" and an "exuberance and sense of humor that made the Freep a great place to work."

Todd Brewster

A friend of Ratliff's since high school who described him as having a "gee-whiz kind of quality" and a readiness for wonder.

Neal Rubin

A close friend and longtime Free Press metro columnist who said Ratliff "saw more than the surface when he was reporting something" and could "work in cerebral details in ways that didn't feel like he was in a classroom."

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What they’re saying

“He saw more than the surface when he was reporting something, and he was able to work in cerebral details in ways that didn't feel like he was in a classroom.”

— Neal Rubin, Longtime Free Press metro columnist

“It's always something.”

— Rick Ratliff (Email to Neal Rubin)

What’s next

A celebration of Ratliff's life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, at Muehlig Funeral Chapel in Ann Arbor.

The takeaway

Ratliff's career exemplified the best of journalism - a boundless curiosity, a gift for storytelling, and a commitment to adapting to industry changes. His passing is a loss for the Detroit media community, but his legacy as a beloved, witty, and insightful reporter will endure.