Most likely the first thing you noticed when you asked Don Rankin a question was the huge smile that would appear on his face and the sparkle in his eye. It didn't matter the topic of the query: geology, archaeology, natural history, chemistry, physics, astronomy, history, Native American culture, etc., Don had the knowledge to answer. If Don didn't know something about the topic, which was rare, you knew that by the next time he met you he would have a wealth of information. The second thing you might notice was his contagious enthusiasm. You had no choice but to be carried away into the subject with an interest you might not have known you even had. Third, you would become aware of his encyclopedic knowledge. He was brilliant and had the charisma to share the breadth of his knowledge with others and to get them excited in what he was excited about.

He was a natural teacher. Ranger Russ Miller of The Meigs Point Nature Center recalled: "He would get up in front of a group of people and just say, 'Oh, this is so fantastic. This is so amazing. You guys are going to be so excited to learn about this' and with his energy and enthusiasm everybody was on the edge of their seat before he even started talking." He had a photographic memory and could give you details that would blow you away. And, yet, as brilliant as he was, he never made you feel that your opinion was less important.

The archaeological and Connecticut Native American communities lost a benefactor and dear friend when Dr. Donald Rankin of Madison passed away this summer. Don was a Renaissance man. His knowledge was eclectic. His passion was infectious. His friendship was warm. He was a lot of things to a lot of people. We all wanted to be in his presence and share in his love of life, family and community.

Don Rankin graduated from Colgate University, received his Doctor of Medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, trained in surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital and operated at Bridgeport Hospital. He was a veteran, serving in the U.S. Air Force at Castle Air Force Base in California as a general surgeon and earning the rank of Captain. Retirement did not imply a rocking chair for Don, as his life was just as action-packed as his career. The list of civic groups he championed and supported within the Madison community and beyond is enormous including Habitat for Humanity, Friends of Hammonasset State Park, Meigs Point Nature Center, Friends of the Office of State Archaeology (FOSA), Bushy Hill Nature Center, St. Andrews Episcopal Church, E.C. Scranton Memorial Library, A Place Called Hope and the list goes on....

Fortunately for the archaeological community, Don met Gary Nolf, former president of FOSA and atlatl expert. Together they developed the "Archaeology Roadshow," touring museums, libraries, historical societies and festivals in southeastern Connecticut promoting archaeology and Native American history. He and Gary started archaeology clubs at Madison and Westbrook High Schools and led the students on numerous hikes and digs. In recognition of this special relationship and the support Don has given to FOSA over the years, he was cited for a special award at its Annual Meeting on March 24, 2018.

Don was also a co-founder of the very successful annual Native American Festival at Hammonasset State Park. The man was a doer, an organizer and a people person, not an armchair academic, but a man on the front lines. He could be seen late at night selling Christmas trees along Route 1 to raise funds for the Friends of Hammonasset State Park (he never missed a day); running around the open field headed for exhibiters, seeing to their last minute needs at the Native American Festival; leading a hike through the woods with students in hand; lecturing to a group on an icy "First-Day" morning at Hammonasset Beach State Park or tossing an atlatl demonstrating ancient hunting techniques. Gary Nolf tells a story related to him by his pharmacist that Don had noticed he was having difficulty tying his Christmas tree to his car roof during one of the funding raising drives. Don approached the pharmacist and offered to personally deliver the tree to his house, which he did!

He traveled the state lecturing and demonstrating to adults and children alike, about Native American practices, beliefs, culture and life, promoting a deep understanding and respect for Native Americans. Don was so active and energetic that it was difficult for the rest of us to keep up with him even as he approached his eighth decade. After meeting Don Rankin, you could never forget him.

That was the public side of Don, but his real devotion was to his family, of which he was so proud. His wife and childhood sweetheart Nancy, his children, Craig and Laura Rankin of Seattle, Washington, Elizabeth Rankin of Guilford, and John and Karen Rankin of Madison; and six beloved grandchildren. Our hearts extend out to all of them in their loss.

You know, some ancient cultures believed that a man would never die as long as his name was remembered. And, if that is the case, Don Rankin will live forever!

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