William Bannard Ranken ’42

Bill, son of David B. Ranken 1904, died peacefully Jan. 8, 2007, in the house where he was born in Wilmington, Del.

He prepared at Tower Hill and the Lawrenceville School. At Princeton, Bill majored in chemical engineering and was a member of Tower Club.

After a stint with DuPont in ordnance manufacturing during World War II, he served in the Navy as a lieutenant. Bill returned to DuPont and engaged in sales until 1964, when he joined the Equitable Life Assurance Society. His insurance career included the presidency of both the local certified life underwriters chapter and the Delaware State Life Underwriters Association. He received the Charles B. Palmer Award in 1980 in recognition of ethical and moral standards and outstanding performance in the life-insurance industry combined with dedicated contributions to the community.

For 45 years he was an active member of his church. For more than 30 years he served FISH of Northern Delaware Inc. as board member, treasurer, and driver. Bill enjoyed upland game hunting and skeet and trap contests with his family.

In 1948 Bill married Margaret Tucker Caperton, who died in 2002. To their daughter Tucker; sons David, Caperton, and William; seven nieces and nephews; and nine grandchildren, the class extends deepest sympathy.