Harry A. Rantz

Grandpa was a kind, gentle man. But it was his quirks and passions I will remember the most fondly. He loved to paint, show off his beautiful art to anyone and everyone (though this never came off as boastful; his pride in his work was sweet and endearing), pretty girls, putting ketchup on EVERYTHING, the weather, his band of yesteryear “Dine and Dance with Harry Rantz”. But there was no girl prettier than his wife, and his tenderness toward her was always so heartwarming and moving. He was...

You learn a lot about people when you get them out of their homes and into the mountains where the only distraction is the wind blowing through the trees. This rule applies not only to your immediate family, but to extended family and friends. On our numerous road trips over the last fifteen years, Harry and I talked about all the really good stuff in our life experience, mostly our wonderful families. We also loved each other enough to talk in depth about the most difficult subjects...

I am so thankful that I got to spend 25 years of my life with my Grandpa. He was a wonderful man and I would love nothing more than for my children to know him as I did.

The first thing I will tell them was that he was the kind of man who raised his son John at home, even though John had severe cerebral palsy, and in a time when it was uncommon to do so. It meant devoting much of his life to John, who was unable to speak, and to express his thanks. It meant spending time making...

My uncle and my friend. He shared so many memories with me. And, oh what amazing things he could paint! A life well lived.

In loving memory of my wonderful father, the strong and gentle hero of my childhood. I pray now that he has found comfort, solace and peace, and that he is, and always was, aware of the deep and abiding love and respect of his family, and the peace of the angels that surrounded him every minute of every day of his life, and will continue to surround him into eternity.