Kirk Rankin
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Kirk Rankin entered this world May 6th, 1986 and chose to leave it on September 25th, 2009.
His parents are Steve and Jamie Miller Rankin of Four Season, MO. Kirk lived in the Chicago area, Omaha, and Kansas City but considered Columbia his home the past five years. He attended high school at Blue Valley North in Leawood, KS and graduated from Gurnee High School in Gurnee, IL. He was a National Merit Finalist. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude from the University of Missouri in May 2008 with a degree in Philosophy and English. At MU he received a Discovery Fellowship and an alumni scholarship. He was currently taking graduate courses in Library Sciences. Kirk was a loving, loyal friend. He was very intelligent and a deep thinker. He and his friends loved to play ultimate Frisbee and he traveled with a team representing MU. He had a great love for Ireland and its people, having visited there twice. He volunteered for four years with Meals on Wheels and encouraged six of his friends to do the same. Kirk is survived by his parents, a sister Lindsay Rankin of New York City; his grandmother and aunt Dorothy Rankin and Marcia Walker of Columbia; his grandmother Frances Miller of Rancho Bernardo CA; eight other aunts and uncles of CA, Utah, and Washington DC; twelve cousins from Oregon, CA, Utah, Washington DC and CO. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers and a cousin. Memorial services will be held at Broadway Christian Church, Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 2:00 PM with Rev. Tim Carson officiating. A reception will follow at the church. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels of Columbia, 800 Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65203.
Visits: 6
Steve, Jamie and Lindsay, Dwight and I have you in our thoughts and prayers. Mary Jane and Dwight
I directed Kirk in an Undergraduate Research Mentorship in 2006 on “Equality and Responsibility”. He was a joy to work with. Smart, hardworking, and friendly. I’m deeply saddened by his death.
Please accept the deepest sympathy of the members of MU’s Department of Philosophy. It was a pleasure and a privilege for us to have known Kirk.
Andrew Melnyk
Dept. Chairman
Please accept the deepest sympathy of the members of MU’s Department of Philosophy. It was a pleasure and a privilege for us to have known Kirk.
Andrew Melnyk
Dept. Chairman
Kirk was one of the most intelligent and insightful people I had the pleasure of meeting at MU – I was proud to have him as the vice president of the philosophy club and he was always there if I needed help with anything related to the club or if I just wanted a friend to exchange ideas with. I so upset and confused by this news that I don’t know what else to say except that the world will far worse off without Kirk. Never have I so intensely desired that there is a heaven and that someone was there. I will miss you more than I can express. My sympathy and love go out to Kirk’s family and loved ones.
Steve & Jamie: My sincere condolences to you on the loss of your son. I lost a daughter years ago and can somewhat share in your grief. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Peace, Brad
The world, and my life, has become a poorer place without Kirk.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Kirk and the Rankin family. God will get you through this difficult time. Take comfort in the fact that Kirk is now in Heaven with God and constantly watching over everyone that he left behind. He is with us always and in a happier place. We love you Kirk!
Dorothy and Marcia, please accept my utmost condolences on the loss of your grandson and nephew. I can only imagine how hard this must be. The two of you and the rest of your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Take care, and God bless. Tina Windett
It was my great honor to get to know and play Ultimate with Kirk in college. Kirk was the kind of guy who was always there when he said he would be and gave 110% towards the team both on and off the field. He was a great guy to be around and he will be missed.
Mike Houston
This is the saddest news to get. Kirk kept his emotions to himself in my interactions with him, but he had a fine heart and a fine mind. Those he made clear, day in and day out.
Deepest sympathies and heartfelt prayers to the Rankin family from everyone in the ultimate frisbee community. We will miss you, Kirk.
Kirk was a good friend of mine growing up. We both moved to KS in the 3rd grade from different states. I loved Kirk’s laughter, humor, and intelligence. Kirk, I will miss you bro.
P.S. West Side 4 Life (Remember That?)
It is so difficult to put thoughts into words in the face of something so tragic. I just want to say that Kirk Rankin was one of my best friends and will be missed more than words could even begin to describe.
I feel deeply honored to have been able to call Kirk a friend for the last five years. I will cherish all my memories with him, and I grieve that they are so few. The world is appreciably worse for your departure.
Thanks for knowing me. Thanks for Ultimate and Scroobius Pip and Meals on Wheels. Thanks for being a person that consistently made other people’s lives better.
Thanks for knowing me. Thanks for Ultimate and Scroobius Pip and Meals on Wheels. Thanks for being a person that consistently made other people’s lives better.
My deepest and sincere condolences. If there is anything, however small or large I can do, please let me know.
It was a pleasure knowing Kirk and Im so glad I got to meet him and spend many good times in Ireland during his stay!! My condolances to his family and friends! Sinead Lyons X
Jamie, Steve and Lindsey
Words cannot express how sorry I feel for your loss. I pray that you will find strength through these difficult times. Know that all your friends are thinking of you and love you.
My most sincere condolances on the loss of a fine young man far too soon.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. I will cherish the moments that I shared with Kirk and the young men of Rosemary Drive. He will be sorely missed by us all.
In loving memory and with deepest sympathy,
Kristen
I enjoyed playing ultimate with Kirk and remember him as a kind, thoughtful person and fun to converse with. Peace to Kirk and my condolences to his family.
Even though I only knew Kirk for a few years he made those years that much brighter. Our time in Ireland together will never be forgotten.
I am so sorry for your loss. Kirk was a wonderful young man. He has been to our home a few times and we have tailgated with him as he was a friend of our son Craig. He will be missed.
I’ve known Dorothy & Marcia for many years and I just want them and the rest of the family to know I am praying for you to find comfort in your loss. I hope the reason for this quick and early loss becomes apparant early and makes sense of a senseless time.
I feel very privileged to have known Kirk throughout college, and I was shocked and saddened to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with Kirk and his family during this difficult time.
John and I are saddened by this news. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Steve and Jamie, I was Kirk’s 4th grade baseball coach, My son Jonathan forwared the tragic news to me. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a son.
The memory that flashed through my mind was the game we played against the Ashner team who I think Kirk was on the previous year. I remember that was not a good experience for him and the kids from that team were teasing him still as he got up to bat in an important situation. He hit a big double which scored runs and we won the game. The smile on his face was bigger than his face and we won the game. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both as we go through lifes curious pathways. May God somehow give you peace and understanding at some time about this
I am Brian Doerhoff’s mom. He was Kirk’s roommate at Columbia for awhile. I am so sorry to hear that you have lost Kirk. I didn’t know your son but I know he was a wonderful friend to Brian. My husband and I pray for your family during this tragedy. There are really no words to express the sorrow and pain that you must feel. May you find strength and comfort in God.
Jane
I had the pleasure of knowing Kirk while I attended Mizzou. He was always a fun guy to be around and always had a great thought on his mind to share. I was heartbroken to hear the tragic news. I will always remember the good times that we shared. My prayers are with Kirk’s family as well as my friends.
Steve, Jamie and Lindsay, My heart and prayers go out to you on this sad day. Kirk was a wonderful young man who I know is now serving the Lord in heaven as he served so many here in this world. I love you all. Debbi Brunk
Steve, Jamie, Lindsay – I am absolutely heartbroken. I didn’t know Kirk well as an adult, but will never forget that vibrant and energetic little boy he was. I will always have fond memories of that precious little boy.
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our son Jonathan and Kirk played golf together many times when you lived in Leawood. I remember him as a kind, fine young man. You are in our thoughts and prayers for comfort and peace during this very devastating time.
We had the pleasure of knowing Kirk and thought the world of him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. I can’t imagine the loss you are feeling, but you are not alone. Losing Kirk is a loss for so many, he was loved.
My sincere condolence. I was honored to have known Kirk. He was a good man and I deeply saddened by the news of his passing.
My sincere condolence. I was honored to have known Kirk. He was a good man and I deeply saddened by the news of his passing.
My sincere condolences. I knew Kirk and he was a good man. I am saddened to hear about his passing.
Steve, Jamie & Lindsay, My thoughts and prayers go out to you during this difficult time. I am so sorry for your loss. Love,
Ashley
Dorothy and Marcia, So sorry to learn of the passing of your grandson and nephew. Know that you, as well as Kirk’s parents and sister, other family members and friends are in our prayers. May you feel God’s presence in the days ahead. Sincerely, Mary & John
Steve and Jamie,
Our hearts go out to you at this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
I knew Kirk from college and always enjoyed the time I spent with him. He was a great thinker with many talents and an amazing friend. He will be missed by many.
I knew Kirk from college and always enjoyed the time I spent with him. He was a great thinker with many talents and an amazing friend. He will be missed by many.
Jamie, Steve, and Lindsay, My heart breaks for you. Words cannot express my sorrow. I have many fond memories of Kirk growing up in Omaha. My prayers, my friendship, and my love are with you right now and in the days to come…please know this.
Dear Jamie and family, The Zenners’ thoughts are with you.I regret not having known Kirk. The beautifully written eulogy and thoughts from his friends provide a lasting memorial.Marie-Therese Zenner (daughter of Margaret Miller Zenner), from France.
Some of my favorite memories from college are times spent with Kirk and the gang. He was a good friend with a great sense of humor. To the Rankin family, I pray that you will turn to God to seek and find comfort.
Psalm 31: 9-10, 14-15
9 Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;
my eyes grow weak with sorrow,
my soul and my body with grief.
10 My life is consumed by anguish
and my years by groaning;
my strength fails because of my affliction, [a]
and my bones grow weak.
14 But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, “You are my God.
15 My times are in your hands;
deliver me from my enemies
and from those who pursue me.
Jamie, Steve and Lindsey,
My heart breaks for you and your family. I am so sorry about Kirk’s death and the overwhelming sadness you must be feeling. There are no words…I am so, so sorry. I am praying for you.
Jamie, Steve and Lindsey,
My heart breaks for you and your family. I am so sorry about Kirk’s death and the overwhelming sadness you must be feeling. There are no words…I am so, so sorry. I am praying for you.
To the Rankin family: I am so sorry for your loss. I am fortunate to have lived, laughed, and traveled with Kirk in Ireland. He was a great man. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Our hearts are heavy with saddness of this tragic loss. Such a wonderful young man that accomplished so much in his short life. Please accept our deepest symphany and know that you will all be in our hearts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Jim and Linda Brazel
Our hearts are heavy with saddness of this tragic loss. Such a wonderful young man that accomplished so much in his short life. Please accept our deepest symphany and know that you will all be in our hearts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Jim and Linda Brazel
Jamie, Steve and Lindsey, I am so sorry to her about Kirk’s death. I cannot imagine the pain you are feeling from this loss. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Love,
Kathi, Mark, Eric and Ryan Hoyer
Steve,Jamie and Lindsay, we are so saddened by the news of Kirk’s death. Our memories of such a happy, busy little boy in Omaha are precious as I know they are for you. Our prayers are with your family in this tremendously difficult time. Steve and Jean Watts
We are so very sorry for the loss of Kirk. We heard only great things about him from Marcia and Wes. We pray that God will be with you and your family in this most difficult time.
Jamie, Steve, Lindsay,
We are so sad to hear this news. May you find peace in all of the beautiful remembrances from Kirk’s friends and colleagues. You will continue to be in our prayers, as you have been these last few months.
Ann and Gary Wiethuchter
Dear Friends,
I was so sorry to hear about Kirk. What a loving and giving life he lived. I hope those memories will help you during this time. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.
Rita Mendelson
Steve, Jamie and Lindsay, We can’t imagine the sorrow you are feeling right now. Our prayers are with you. Love, Greg, Daryl, Sofia and Sean
Rankins….I am so sorry to hear about the loss of Kirk…he will be deeply missed and alwasy remembered by us as the care free kid next door…thinking of you at this time.
My heart is so saddened by your precious loss. I pray you will find comfort and peace from God during this difficult time. “Keep me as the apple of thine eye and hide me in the shadow of thy wing.” You will be in my prayers. Love, Bev
Dearest Jamie,
I cannot begin to tell you how shocked I was to learn the news tonight of your beloved son’s death. My heart aches for the devastating loss of your precious son, Kirk. I cannot imagine the suffering that you, Steve and Lindsay must be enduring. Feel my arms around you holding you close and offering my love, prayers and support. Ellen
Dearest Jamie, Steve & Lindsay
I have been at a loss for words. I was deeply saddened to hear of your tragic news. I am praying that time and the comfort and love of family and friends will help to heal the hurt and grief your must be feeling.
My prayers and thoughts are with you now and in the weeks and months ahead.
Blessings, Patti
Dear Jamie, Steve and Lindsay,
My heart hurts when I think of your pain.
I will always think of Kirk when we knew him as a fair-haired, beautiful little boy with the most loving parents and sister. You must remember and cherish all those happy times. We are praying for your strength right now. Please know that we are thinking of you every day. Lisa and Randy Strunk
My heart goes out to you. You’re constantly in my thoughts and prayers.
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