In Memory

Ronald Ranes VIEW PROFILE

Ronald Ranes



 
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05/28/21 05:26 PM #1    

C. Lawrence Modesitt

Ron and I were part of several organizations at East Denver High. He and I and Jack Leingang from South High first journeyed to Williams in my old Olds. My beater hadn’t exited Colorado before the water pump ceased pumping. We pooled our funds and finally got it fixed, delayed and cash-poor. Trying to make up time, I increased my speed until a trooper pulled us over late at night. “That’ll be $200,” he said. Not having $200, we looked at each other in horror. “Or spend the night in jail?” Since sleep and a meal sounded good, we said, “We’ll take jail.”  “Get out of here!” he thundered. 

On our 50th, Ron came to his first-ever Williams reunion. Ron, Jack and I and their wives wandered Williamstown, thoroughly enjoying the reminiscing both of that first Williams experience and of many that followed. Ron was always enthusiastic, decisive, and engaging. I’m very sorry to learn of his passing.

Larry Modesitt

 

 

 


05/29/21 06:12 AM #2    

Jay Freedman

So so sorry to learn of Ron's death. A genuinely terrific guy. In a recent cleaning out of my house in connection with a move to a condo, I came across a number of Ron's Christmas letters. I think I had saved them because they were always so full of interesting details of the year. We travelled some together. We played some golf (including at the 50th. He was a graceful athlete, had a wonderful sense of humor, an infectious laugh and was an engaging and smart conversationalist. Mostly, he was a good friend. I, too, will miss him.


05/29/21 12:01 PM #3    

John Leingang

Couldn't help but smile while reading Larry Modesitt's recollection of our joint venture with Ron as we set off in what I recall was a '48 Olds.  What I remember most was Ron trying to find a way to keep the exhaust fumes from coming through the floorboards and asphyxiating us.  Also remember spending more on oil than gas as we all made our maiden voyage to Williamstown.  We certainly couldn't have afforded a $200 fine, but as I think about it, a bit surprised that Larry's Olds could exceed the speed limit.

Ron and I spent our sophomore and senior years as roommates, and I couldn't have asked for better.  Don't recall any angry words during these episodes, but a lot of late night talks about what we were doing right, but mostly what we were doing wrong.  He was always a great listener, and it was great getting through our rough patches together.  Don't think anything was off limits.

We were really fortunate to spend our 50th reunion with Ron and Diane at our home in Williamstown.  It was if we were still sitting at Chi Psi, even though a decade, or two, had passed.

We will always have our memories of a great guy, and a wonderful friend.  We will miss him, but we will keep these.


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