Gary Ranck

1933 - 2023

Gary Laval Ranck

1933 ~ 2023

- Gary La Val Ranck passed away on October 8, 2023, at age 90 from Chronic Kidney Disease, which he courageously battled for several years. At this same time he lovingly cared for his wife, Norma, who has been bedridden since 2020. Theirs is a true story of endurance and courage.

Gary was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 14, 1933, the son of the late Joseph Gibson Ranck III and Eliza Jane Jessop Ranck, both direct descendants of Utah's early pioneers, of which Gary was very proud. He always admired the amazing courage and determination of the pioneers being the goal setter that he's always been.

He grew up in East Millcreek, an early pioneer suburb of Salt Lake City, and as a young lad delivered newspapers on his horse 'Flash.' He attended Sherman Elementary, Olympus Jr. High and Granite High School where he played the clarinet in the marching band, participating in many Pioneer Day parades with his sister, Janette and brother-in-law, Gerald Nuttall. The three of them remained 'the best of friends' and traveling companions for life.

At an early age Gary learned fly fishing from his father, Joe, and his Grandpa Ranck, both experts, and became an expert trophy fly fisherman himself, which passion he pursued for many years into his late eighties. In fact, there were very few streams and Lakes in Utah and the Mountain West that he did not fish, as well as those in Alaska, New York and New Zealand.

After completing his second year of college at the University of Utah, he volunteered for the draft during the Korean War and was stationed with the U.S. Army Medical Corps on the Japanese Island of Okinawa where he was a medic. Living with a local family, he adopted rice as one of his very favorite foods.

Returning home he resumed his studies at the University of Utah on the G.I. Bill, where he earned his BS in Zoology, his Master's Degree in Zoology and Botany, and finally his Ph.D. in Zoology and Botany in order to pursue a career in science. And this was the boy his mother thought would never graduate from high school as he sometimes preferred other outdoor activities to school attendance.

He was hired by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. during this period where he was sent to collect scientific specimens in both Libya and Iran for several years, and lived in the Saharan Desert, with only a local guide, a Land Rover and lots of traps.

Upon official completion of his Ph.D. he began a career as Curator at the Smithsonian's Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. where he relocated with his first wife, Sherrie Nichols. and his step-sons, Mark and Scott.

Always longing for the Rocky Mountains, Gary tired of city living after several years and in 1968 headed back West to Denver, Colorado where he became a Professor of Biology and Pre-Med Studies at St. Regis University in 1968 until his retirement in 1998. During this period he became reacquainted with a high school friend, Norma Dean Erickson. They loved to go out dancing at The Canyon Inn and reminisce about their high school days. Falling in love, they married on August 6, 1988, eventually to return to Salt Lake City with their beloved cat Blanca, to live among family and friends. This year marked Norma and Gary's thirty-fifth anniversary.

Gary always enjoyed his life in the great outdoors fly fishing, hiking, mountain climbing, and yearly camping family reunions, as well as maintaining his beautiful yard, the envy of his neighborhood.

When not outdoors, Gary loved to read and care for the many artifacts he had collected from around the world and attend to his tremendous mounted fish collection.

Gary is survived by his wife, Norma; three step-children, Debbie (Steven) Lehmann, Patti Mascaro, and Paul Erickson, all of Salt Lake City, as well as six step-grandchildren. Two sisters and brother-in-laws also survive him: Janette and Gerald Nuttall of Salt Lake City and Christie and Shahab Shary of Dana Point, California, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Memorial Celebration of Gary's wonderful life will be held at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 1007 West, South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, Utah on Saturday, October 14 at 11:00 a.m. Viewing one hour before services. After Burial at Larkin Sunset Gardens at 1950 East 10600 South, Sandy, Utah, a reception will be held at Norma and Gary's home at 10174 South Millbury Way, Sandy, Utah 84092.