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William Rankin Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for William Rankin
Jim Stangle
August 18, 2014
Mrs. Rankin and the Rankin family, you are in our prayers now with the passing of Coach Rankin. I will always remember him as my first Coach. One of the many things about his coaching style was he was always the disciplinarian, firm, fair,and enjoyed winning while making it all about the team and not about himself. The Alter community owes much to Coach Rankin for being the first coach, athletic director,creator of the boosters, recruiter and builder of a great coaching staff. Most of all,he was the builder of an Athletic program that produced a winning tradition of excellence both in the classroom and in Athletic endeavors, that lives on today. He was direct and forthright with us and demanded our best, always.
God speed, Coach, your legacy will live on with all of those you touched in your life.
August 17, 2014
Carmella I am so sorry for your loss. Bill and gene are in heaven talking football. May the peace of God be with you and your family. Love Linda Brindise and family
Jim Finke Class of '76
August 14, 2014
Believe it or not, Coach Rankin brought the same values of integrity, hard work, and discipline to a golf team one year at Alter HS when no one else wanted the job. Even though he knew far less about golf than football, he was coach and a teacher first so his expectations were no less. I do, however, suspect we got to see the softer side of the man. I am privileged to have known him and grateful to be one among the many lives that he touched in a positive way. Our entire AHS community mourns along with you.
Norman Brinkman
August 13, 2014
I am so sorry I am so late to hear about a dear friend of mine. He did a lot for me and my sincere sympathy coes to Carmela.
Norm Brinkman
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Jim McVay
August 13, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rankin family. I will always appreciate the opportunity to have been one of his players. He set the standard high and made it an honor and privilege to be an Alter Knight. Thanks for everything Coach.
August 13, 2014
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
August 13, 2014
My sincerest sympathies to Mrs. Rankin and all her family on their loss. So many wonderful memories playing for coach Rankin. So many good lessons of discipline, hard work, fair play, honesty, teamwork. His work will live on in all those he mentored. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Bob Anzinger CCHS "59
Jack Ward
August 12, 2014
Condolences to the Rankin family from Jack Ward and family. Great coach, teacher and friend who gave me my first start. You're all in our prayers.
Angela (Greco) Ejike '85
August 12, 2014
My sympathies go out to all the family and friends of Coach Rankin. He will be remembered by so many! He has had such a tremendous impact on the Alter community. May God grant you peace and surround you all with wonderful memories to help you through this time.
John Griffith, '76
August 11, 2014
Coach Rankin sadly leaves us but what an incredible legacy he leaves behind. My brothers and I all benefitted from the high standards of Alter HS athletics. Coach Rankin brought those from Springfield Catholic where my cousins played ball. We've all had success in passing the same standards of excellence and effort to our kids. That's one family touched in incalculable ways by Coach Rankin. I had the pleasure of following Bill Jr. to Wash. U. where I'd say we distinguished ourselves with a notable work ethic that came directly from Bill Rankin Sr.'s Kettering Alter. Indeed, the academic and athletic success Alter has enjoyed over the last 50 years can be traced to the great work of Coach Rankin. God's speed and rest in peace Coach Rankin.
Greg Merrill KOG Chair
August 11, 2014
The Alter High School Knights of Gold sends our deepest sympathy to the Rankin family. As one of our inaugural inductees to the Gridiron Greats program, Coach Rankin was recognized for his many contributions to the beginnings of the great football tradition at Alter. He will be missed by all his players.
Brian Garry
August 11, 2014
Carmella, our deepest sympathy for you, Billy Jr., Kathy, & Steve, along with entire Rankin family. Coach was Firm/Stern...but with positive results. We were all excited about his being able to join our 58 undefeated CCHS HALL of HONOR INDUCTION, in September..sadened to read his Obit today. He did lead by Example... taught & drilled the basics..for 20-0... into 59.. season. Glad to have been able to share some fun times with the both of you.
Phyllis and I send our best Prayers, Thoughts, and Wishes... to you all. "Coach' Rankin will be definitely missed.
August 11, 2014
More than a coach, a great Dad, husband and teacher
Chuck Hoey
Tom Carney
August 11, 2014
A man who will always be remembered for the development of boys into successful and productive Catholic men. God Bless Mr. Bill Rankin.
Kim O'Dell Jones
August 11, 2014
Prayers and Blessings to the Rankin family. I'm so sorry for your loss. Coach Rankin was a great coach.
August 11, 2014
Condolences to the family from Bartow, Fl. K. Hall
Joe Focke AHS'69
August 11, 2014
So sorry to learn of the passing of Coach Bill Rankin. 20 years after playing for him at Alter I included him in a retro film for AHS'69 football reunion. Will cherish that forever just like the life lessons he taught us on the football field. RIP coach
Lisa Kavanaugh Fields
August 11, 2014
Thanks to Mr. Rankin for many good years at Alter. My prayers are with the family!
Joe Focke AHS '69
August 11, 2014
So sorry to learn of the passing of coach Bill Rankin. Thoughts & prayers to the Rankin family. Coach Rankin's tough leadership through the game of football instilled in me a model for success that lasts a lifetime. RIP coach
Dave Knee
August 11, 2014
Simply put, a great coach and leader. He knew how to motivate and get the most out of his team. He built not only good teams but fine young men as well.
August 10, 2014
Bill Rankin was one of the Founding Fathers of Archbishop Alter HS. The sports program he established has a legacy second to no one in the Dayton area. Thank you Coach for the foundtional values you established in me- commitment, hard work, teamwork, selflessness,and school pride. I will never forget our lockerroom celebraton after destroying Chaminade in the 1970 game! May the peace of Christ be with you, Coach.
Paul Beyerle 71'
August 10, 2014
One of the Founding Fathers of Archbishop Alter has passed on. What a successful sports program he developed at Alter, especially in football! His legacy lives on. Coach, I thank you for teaching me the value of hard work, dedication, toughness,commitment and teamwork. I will never forget beating Chaminade our senior year and the celebration that unfolded in the lockerroom after the victory. May peace be with you.
Paul Beyerle 71'
Sue Henry ( McManus)
August 10, 2014
To the Bill Rankin Family, sending my prayers to help with your loss. I was fortunate to know Bill as a student as well as a colleague. He was always kind as well as demanding!! Alter was a better place for His leadership there
August 10, 2014
Well respected member of the Alter family. RIP Mr. Rankin.
Dan Routzahn
August 10, 2014
So sorry to hear about coach Rankin's passing. He was our coach at Springfield Catholic Central when we went undefeated in the 1958 season and had a 17 game winning streak. On behalf of the 1958 Catholic Central football team we send our deepest sympathy. His family and friends our in our thoughts and prayers.
Alice Hale
August 10, 2014
Dear Aunt Carmella, Bill, Kathy and Steve (and all your families),
As the last son of French and Mary's family, your husband/father was special. He was always known for his ability to coach and teach. He was tough. no problem with knowing what he expected!
I was really sad when he left Catholic Central. Who in Springfield had heard of Kettering Alter at that time???!!! our family's "claim to fame" had moved!!!!
BUT...on arriving to college (Miami University) I soon learned from the Dayton kids, that Uncle Bill had even more "fame" and I had a good conversation opener, at last. Not to mention, a pretty cool Uncle.
Uncle Bill was much more than that, though. At a recent wedding (two weeks ago), Mr Micky Hannon (coach who took over at Central) filled me in on all the good that Uncle Bill was able to do while he coached Central. Mr Hannon said that he hoped that Bill would make the upcoming Reunion of Bill's CCHS 1958 Undefeated Football Team.
A few days later, I learned of Uncle Bill's sudden decline of health that led to his death. Now, I hope that he is with all his loved ones who have died (another undefeated team of sorts) and that he smiles on all of us who are still here.
I know that Uncle Bill was very close to all of you and that you will feel his loss. My thoughts and prayers will be with you.
"Alice Ann" and family
Bob Simpson '68
August 10, 2014
Coach Rankin's impact on Alter's successful athletic programs contributed positive vibes to our high school experience. A man truly worthy of all the respect and honors bestowed to him over the years. Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Paul Goeke
August 10, 2014
I grew up across the street from the Rankin family. I have great memories of countless football games in their backyard with Steve and Bill. We grew up watching Alter grow in a positive direction under Mr Rankin's leadership
Mr Rankin was coaching me before I was old enough to go to Alter. Great man/ neighbor /leader. A very positive influence on my childhood
God Bless Carmella/Bill Jr/ Kathy & Steve. Paul Goeke. Alter Football Alumni 1978
John McVay '71
August 10, 2014
My brother, Tim. accurately expressed Coach Rankin's contribution to Alter and his positive influence on those of us who were fortunate enough to play for him. Thank you, Coach! We celebrate his life and are with the Rankin family.
Joe and Pat Kail
August 10, 2014
My thanks to Bill for making me a better man, father, and coach. Our prayers and thoughts are with Carmella, Bill, Kathy, and Steve. May God Bless him.
Willie Bruns '68
August 10, 2014
Mr. Rankin was the man who got me involved at Alter. While I was a student at UD in the early 70's, Alter would sell out all home basketball games and I always attended. He had me help in small ways. One of the acts I appreciated the most about Bill was when Alter would advance in the District and Regional basketball tourney games played at the new UD Arena. Other schools would put tickets on sell the next morning. Bill would take orders for tickets. Basketball players families got the best courtside seats, Then the boosters, season ticket holders, Alumuni and parents and then the walk in general public. The students had their section on the end of the court. Seniors got the lower seats. Then juniors followed by sophomores and freshmen. Bill made sure the Alter community would get the good seats because we would sell out the Arena. That extra effort took a full 8 hour day, probably more. He did his best to make sure the Alter supporters got the best available.
Tim McVay
August 10, 2014
Coach Rankin was instrumental in establishing the Alter culture of hard work, high expectations, discipline , competitiveness, high performance ,integrity and sporstmanship. As the youngest of 3 boys that all played at Alter we are so grateful and thankful to benefit from the hard work , leadership and support of Coach Rankin. Our prayers and thoughts are with Coach and his family at this time.
Tim Mcvay
August 10, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Rankin family. Bill was a legend and will never be forgotten!
Sharon Greco Smith '84
Alter Football Association
August 10, 2014
Thanks Mr. Rankin for ALL you did for Alter! My prayers go out to your family.
Brenda Beard
August 10, 2014
To the family, Luann & Chuck, you have my deepest sympathy on the passing of your uncle.
Bob Vari
August 9, 2014
Heaven's team is getting a new "coach !'My favorite football coach,a great mentor and a wonderful human being ! I have nothing but great memories --please rest in peace and save room for me on your team !
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