What is your first memory of Harry? Share a favorite memory you have of Harry. Tell us about a special moment you shared with Harry. Describe a time when Harry made you laugh or smile. What is something you will always remember about Harry? Talk about a shared experience you had with Harry. What is something you did together that you enjoyed? Describe a place or activity that reminds you of Harry. Tell us about a personal story or anecdote involving Harry. What is something you learned from Harry?

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Harry A. Rantz

Obituary

Guest Book

About

Roosevelt High School

Harry Rantz Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 3, 2014.

Harry Rantz, age 91, passed away on December 29, 2013, surrounded by his family. He was born in Spokane, Washington on January 25, 1922 to Harry and Thula (LaFollette) Rantz. Harry graduated from Roosevelt High School in Seattle, in 1940. He began working as a technical illustrator for Boeing in 1943, where he met Kathleen Ochs. They were married on his 22nd birthday, January 25, 1944. Harry continued working for Boeing for the next 40 years, eventually becoming a supervisor in the Commercial Airline Division. He retired in 1983, and began pursuing the artistic passion he had laid aside as a young man, becoming an admired and respected artist. Many of his paintings are treasured possessions of family and close friends. He also enjoyed the beauty of the mountains and quiet walks along a mountain stream. During his retirement he was also involved with charity work through Catholic Community Services. He was preceded in death by his beloved son, John, and is survived by his wife, Kathleen; daughters, Pam and Patti; and son; Mark; 16 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and his gentle and caring presence will be greatly missed. A Rosary and Sharing will be held Monday, January 6, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at Beck's Funeral Home in Edmonds, WA. A Memorial Mass, followed by a Celebration of his Life, his 92nd Birthday and his 70th Wedding Anniversary will be held January 25, 2014 at Holy Rosary Parish in Edmonds. Memorial donations may be made to Catholic Community Services of Western Washington.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Sign Harry Rantz's Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Recent Activity

January 8, 2014

Elise Roberts posted to the memorial.

January 8, 2014

Jim Roberts posted to the memorial.

January 4, 2014

Katie Breiwick posted to the memorial.

8 Entries

Elise Roberts

January 8, 2014

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 not the typical male archetype- and I loved this about him. He was as gentle as he was strong, loved art and sports with equal abandon, and was never shy about expressing his affection for his wife. He loved all of us so well and so mightily. The loss of his presence is palpable, but the lessons he taught me and love he gave are everlasting.

Jim Roberts

January 8, 2014

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 imaginable including prejudice, religion, and intolerance. After each trip Harry and I always ended our day trips with a warm handshake. My wonderful father-in-law, Harry was always the first to extend his hand. If we are extremely lucky, in the course of an entire lifetime, we end up with a mere handful of really good friends. Harry was one of those wonderful friends in my life. I will always love him.

Katie Breiwick

January 4, 2014

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 equipment for a child with particular special needs because they weren't publicly available at the time. It meant very little free time, and later in life when they were unable to take care of John themselves, it meant everyday of the week spent at the Cerebral Palsy Residential Center with him. Yet I know my Grandpa and Grandma never thought twice about it. The answer was obvious; family always came first.

As years passed, I remember going to visit John at the CP Center with them and seeing how they had become parents to many mentally and physically disabled there, those who were placed there and then largely forgotten. I have never met two people so full of love and patience and so willing to give of themselves to those less fortunate.

I remember when Grandpa would meet a friend of mine for the first time, he would share with them that he worked at Boeing for 40 years and that in his youth he swam across Lake Washington. And if we stayed for any length of time they also got to see at least 5 of his paintings, of which he was rightfully proud. I remember when my friends and I stopped to visit my Grandparents before my senior prom, my Grandpa was shocked that my friend Aly didn't have a date because he said "she was so beautiful it just didn't make sense." Then he immediately offered to be her prom date for the evening.

Although he is not here to meet my children and grandchildren, I will make sure that they know of his love and compassion, and hopefully I will be able to see him in them.

Judy Willlman

January 4, 2014

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

How you can show support

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Follow this page

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

Harry Rantz & Family circa 1950

Pamela Roberts

January 3, 2014

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.