Christopher Allen Nisbet Rankine III

Born May27, 1981

Died July 19, 2018 from heart arrhythmias

Christopher was born in Boston, MA. He grew up in New Orleans. In school he loved computers, music and band and excelled in all of his school subjects.

He graduated from Georgia Tech with 2 degrees, Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and a

Masters of Science in Computer Information Sciences and Systems and a Masters of Business Adm.

from Georgia State University. While at GT he was involved in almost every aspect of the GT band, from

marching, libraries, props, and Kappa Kappa Psi. He was at every function, welcoming new members

and encouraging people to get involved in the organization he loved. Chris was a member of Student Government Assoc. (SGC).

Chris was employed by GA Tech Research Institute (GTRI) as a research engineer and scientist. Chris was an amazing individual who was passionate about his research. Chris was a tinkerer, and innovator, and an inventor. He was cyber-savvy, network savvy, and mechanically savvy. This technical combination was continually recognized by his sponsors, including Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) and most recently the U.S. Navy. He thrived at field tests with sponsors. These field tests included demonstrations of macro cellular systems and subscriber boxes that he configured at the network and application layers, fieldable jamming systems, and fieldable-networked software defined radio systems, all of which he designed and built. He was quick on his feet and got things done in the field like on one else could. He would do what was needed to get it done. Chris often took unique approaches to problem-solving and GTRI projects were better because of him.

Chris worked in the GTRI Information and Communications Laboratory. He worked more than 18 years at Georgia Tech. He was a student assistant at GTRI, and he was a respected research engineer and colleague. Chris designed and built a soap box car in the shape of a “T” for TECH and it was entered in the Homecoming Parade and he drove it in the Red Bull Soap Box Derby Race in Atlanta. The sign on the back of the “T” – “To Hell With Georgia” (slogan) – showed how much he loved Atlanta and Georgia Tech. He designed and built another soap box called the Reck Racer and he designed that after the Rambling Wreck and he drove that in another Red Bull Soap Box Derby Race held in Atlanta. Chris will truly be missed.

He was a member of the Feed and Seed Abominable Marching Band and he loved it.

He is survived by his parents Dr. Christopher A.N. Rankine, Jr. and Ruth Brown Rankine of Sandy Springs. A sister: Michelle Rankine Ramirez of Decatur, Uncles: Barry and Carol Brown of Warner Robins, Dick and Suzy Rankine, of Lawrenceville and Jim Rankine of Atlanta. An Aunt: Jeanne Rankine Lunsford of Atlanta and many cousins.

A Memorial Celebration of Christopher’s life will be held Sunday, July 29th starting at 2 PM at Red Brick Brewing Co. 2323 Defoors Hills Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 phone- 404-355-5558. Colleagues and friends are invited. A private family service will be held later.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to The Georgia Tech Foundation, 760 Spring St., NW., Suite 400 Atlanta, GA 30308 in Chris’s memory to support the Georgia Tech Band or a donation to a charity of your choice.