 Gratzer's older brother earned his medical degree and now practices in the United States as a psychiatrist.Gratzer earned a B.Sc.at the University of Manitoba in 1996, was president of the University of Manitoba Students' Union (UMSU) during his final undergraduate year 1995–1996, and was appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba to the University of Manitoba Board of Governors for four successive years from 1994 to 1998.