Obituary of Robert A. Rankel

Robert Andrew Rankel Bob Rankel was born November 13, 1916 and passed away April 18, 2016. He lived to be 99. He was preceded in death by his wife Lillian, his grandson Robert, and his daughter Evelyn. Bob is survived by three children: Robert (Mary Jane), Lillian (Andrew), and Richard (Catherine), ten grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Bob lived independently in East Rockaway, NY until 2010 when he moved to Morris Hall located in Lawrence Township, New Jersey. He was an active parishioner of St. Raymond Catholic Church until 2010. As his brother Matt used to say, “When Bob was born he came out running and has been running ever since.” Bob never believed in wasting time. Whatever you do, it should be done correctly and quickly. Bob graduated first in his class in grammar school with a Gold Medal. In high school, he took technical classes, and was on the Honor Roll every year. When Bob graduated from high school his father wanted him to get a full time job. Bob wanted to attend an engineering college. He applied to Cooper Union College. He passed the entrance exam and received a full time scholarship. Bob worked a full time job and attended college 5 nights a week for 6 years. Bob graduated from Cooper Union with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 1940 and remained active as an alumnus all his life. Bob designed de-icing equipment for bombers during World War II. He developed heating and defrost systems for White COE trucks. Bob worked several jobs including work at a staple factory. He worked for Kellogg Corporation as a draftsman and many other companies with jobs in engineering. After completing his degree, he started his own business in the sales of HVAC equipment in New York. He was a partner in Associated Thermal Products and Air-Pak Products. Both partnerships represented major HVAC suppliers in New York City including Lincoln Center, the Statue of Liberty, the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, and Trump Towers. Bob was an independent contractor selling HVAC equipment for Gil Bar in Brooklyn, NY until his retirement in 2007. He married Lillian Erbe, and had two sons, Robert and Richard, and two daughters, Lillian and Evelyn. The first year of his business he did not draw a salary. All of his money went back into his business. He lived off his savings. As Bob said, “We ate well.” When Lillian was in the hospital having Evelyn, she had Bob make the sandwiches for the children, who got two pieces of bread, one slice of bologna…no butter on it. He loved his grandchildren and great grandchildren and enjoyed preparing dinners for the holidays.