Ratliff, Chester

To spend more than just a few years in one profession these days is unusual to spend 50 years in the same profession is more than a little rare. To spend 50 years in the same building is almost unheard of. Chester Ratliff has done all three. Ratliff recently celebrated his 65th birthday and at the same time 50 years of working for Miami Ford. He started in 1952 at the age of 14 at what was then Burtrum Motor Company, detailing cars. Three years later he started full-time work as a mechanic and has only left for six months of active duty in the Army Reserve. Ratliff said the past 50 years have been "a good time." "I've seen lots of changes over the years," he said. "Probably in the car line the biggest thing is electronics. Ratliff is the second generation of his family to work in the company. His father worked for Burtrum from 1948 to 1958 and his son was the third generation to work there. A photo.