Birth date: Oct 25, 1950 Death date: Apr 8, 2008
Kenneth Ranta, 57, died Tuesday, April 8 unexpectedly doing what he liked doing – driving along the dirt roads near his childhood home in his red Jeep Wrangler. Born October 25, 1950, he grew up in Paynesville in the Upper Peninsu Read Obituary
I just learned about Ken's death from the UM Alumni magazine. I met Ken at the University of Michigan when we both worked at the cafeteria in Mary Markley dormitory. Later we worked together at the University of Michigan. What I always remember about Ken was how friendly he was to new employees and how nice he was to everyone. People like Ken are so rare.##imported-begin##David Kantor##imported-end##
We loved watching Ken play in the band...we were sort of band groupies and would try to always show up at area gigs.
Ken also hired me to be the White Pines Middle School Athletic Coordinator in 1999...
We will miss him very much...we are so sorry for your loss...Ken is loved by so many.....##imported-begin##David Smart and Brigette Babin##imported-end##
I was so saddened to hear about Ken. I worked with him this year on a team that assists kids with Autism. He was so understanding and caring. He would do whatever it took to make the kids successful. He will be greatly missed by many students and staff.##imported-begin##Jacquelyn Johnson##imported-end##
To Ken's Family,
I didn't know Ken real well, but worked with him while he was Athletic Director at GHAPS. My job is running the copy center for the district and back then we printed a lot of the materials for the various sports teams. Ken was so easy to work with and always treated me with respect and never as a person who was subordinate to him. He accepted that I knew my job and we worked well together because of his attitude and caring.
We always managed to get in a couple of good chuckles too!
What a fine man this world has lost, but heaven has gained. God bless you all and bring you peace in this very sad time.
Kathy##imported-begin##Kathy Boote##imported-end##
As a coach, my experiences with Ken were always positive. Whenever I had an issue, Ken always let me know, in some way, that he was always on my side.I always remember Ken working the cross country meets and the track meets, even when he was AD. I always wondered how a man as busy as Ken could do that, but I believe that he genuinely enjoyed those two sports and if he didn't, he sure had me fooled, because I always had a sense that he loved to watch the races, and that he wanted to be a part of them in some way by being out there with the kids and the coaches. I don't think he could help himself, whatever he was doing, he put it aside and worked the meets and I'll always remember him being there. It was strange at the first meet this year, in the new stadium, not to see him there. I thought about him the entire time and although he couldn't be there, I'm pretty sure I saw him in the tent, saw him judging the exchange zone, saw him hunkered down at the computer, and saw him at the finish line. I missed him that night and I'll miss him the rest of the season. I was sorry that I wasn't at his service, but we had a track meet that day out in Hastings - I have a feeling though, that Ken would have wanted it that way.
- John Tarr
Art/English Teacher/ Track Coach
GHHS##imported-begin##John Tarr##imported-end##
I did not know Ken very well but as a high school official working at GH, he was a great person. My sincere condolences in his passing. I know what your family is going thru as I just lost my twin brother. My prayers and thoughts are with you.##imported-begin##Bruce Bareham##imported-end##
I was working for athletic department in Grand Haven when Ken became the Athletic Director. I have very fond memories of joking with him in the press box as he and I worked the freshman and junior varsity football games. His personality, warmth and character were readily apparent to anyone who knew him, and I am grateful for the time we spent together. Light see you safely home, Ken. You will be missed.##imported-begin##David Takitaki##imported-end##
Dear Julie and Kyle,
My husband, Steve, worked with Ken as a middle school athletic coordinator and I was a former track coach at the high school. We send you our deep sympathy and thoughts. Steve loved working with Ken in athletics. He was supportive and allowed Steve leadership opportunities. Steve was very appreciative and complimentary.
As a track coach, I was usually nervous about the details of every-day coaching. Ken was always calm, centered, and brought balance to my job. There was a Yin and Yang element to our jobs and we appreciated and joked with one another. He exemplified grace under pressure. He taught me so much by his example. He was quick to smile and never seemed ruffled by life's circumstances.
I specificially remember Ken mentioning these two stories about the ladies in his life. He always mentioned how supportive Julie was with his job as athletic director, so when I connected with him about his "free time" as a math teacher, he made me belly laugh with this update. Beaming,he told me Julie said he could play in the band two weekends a month - no more. (What support!) I felt his joy. And when Kyle returned from a big trip, visiting other countries perhaps, Ken shared with me her enthusiasm of her trip. He said he encouraged her to put all her photos in an album BEFORE sharing any stories so she could go on about every detail she wanted with their undivided attention. He couldn't wait for the presentation!
We won't let him down.##imported-begin##Mary Jane Evink##imported-end##
I would like to express my condolences to the Ranta family. I went to school with Mr. Ranta's daughter, Kyle. She was one of the kindest friends I had at Spring Lake. Kenneth must have been an awesome dad to raise such an extraordinary daughter. My prayers are with the family.##imported-begin##Dan Morden##imported-end##
I was very sad to hear about Mr. Ranta. He was a really cool teacher. I had him as a teacher last year and i will never forget him on the very first day of school.We were asking him questions about himself.Someone asked if he loved math and he responded "Heck yea"
(he actually used the real word) and i never had heard a teacher say that...and it was hilarious...
-Long live lord king Ranta!(his nickname from our class)
-Sandi##imported-begin##Sandi Fredricks##imported-end##
