Harry T. Ransom

Harry Trayton Ransom III, who was nicknamed Ran by the nurse attending his delivery into the world on October 28, 1943, passed away on the morning of August 27, 2014. He was a resident of Longmont, CO, and beloved son of the Boulder community, most notably for his 45 years of outstanding service at Boulder's McGuckin Hardware.Ran was the fifth employee in the company's history, and over the course of his career there played every role, from cashier to merchandise buyer, receiving clerk to department supervisor, and eventually store manager. Many loyal patrons of McGuckin asked for Ran by name and refused to be helped by anyone else. Through his love of waiting on customers, astounding knowledge of inventory, and ability to invent custom hardware solutions on the spot, Ran proved a vital force behind the store's phenomenal growth and helped shape its international reputation. Ran was the heart of this place, McGuckin Owner Dave Hight remarked at Ran's farewell celebration in July of this year. I always knew that if Ran was on the floor, it was okay for me to be away from the store. I was afraid to admit it those first few years, Ran replied, speaking to his fellow McGuckinites. But the truth is, I loved being in the store so much, I would have worked here for free. I wanted to be the best hardware store man in the world, and I truly loved coming to work every single day of those forty-five years.In and out of the store, Ran was a creative spirit with a restless engineer's sense of how to make things work better. He was an avid radio-control modeler, carpenter, inventor and home improvement do-it-yourself guy. He loved to modify existing tools, recreational gear, and household products on the fly, including a charcoal-grilling device which he designed, patented, and took to market in the late 1990s. Ran was a natural storyteller, often regaling friends and family with tales true and tall. He enchanted his children annually around the campfire with Ransom-made versions of Jack and the Beanstalk. He also possessed a contagious sense of humor and was not averse to artfully delivering ribald jokes in polite company. Born in Ft. Collins, CO, to Ida and Harry Ransom II, Ran and his family moved to Boulder when he was 12. He attended Casey Junior High and Boulder High schools. As a student at Mesa Junior College in Grand Junction, CO, Ran met Sandra Bower, whom he wed in June of 1964. Ran and Sandra soon returned to Boulder and together had two sons, Michael Ransom and Christopher Ransom.It was not necessarily Ran's all-consuming passion for motorcycles which led to his divorce from Sandra, but his love of the machines was undeniable. Purchasing his first bike from Sears at age 14 to better perform his paper route, Ran owned dozens of cycles and rode for nearly 50 years without accident. In the late 1970s, he competed in several enduro races in the mountains surrounding Steamboat Springs, CO. His favorite bike was his Spanish-made Bultaco Alpina, the thumbs-up insignia for which Ran later had tatto d on his shoulder.In 1982, Ran married Kathrine Kachenko, a longtime teacher in the Boulder Valley School District, becoming a father to her daughter, Sally Kachenko. Ran and Kathy shared a love of gardening, scuba diving, camping, and boating adventures to many Western lakes, including Lake Powell and Lake McConaughy, as well as romantic walks on the beaches of Hawaii. They remained devoted life partners until his passing. Throughout his middle-age and his late battle with cancer, Ran never lost his innate optimism and his sense of child-like wonder. Indeed, the greatest joy of his recent years was in becoming a grandfather to Kate Kachenko, Lillian Ransom, and Lukas Ransom. He loved nothing more than teaching them how to fly model airplanes, launch water balloons, set off fireworks and blow bubbles. Their laughter was his favorite music, and became his best medicine during his final months with his family.In addition to his three children and three grandchildren, Ran is survived by two brothers, Jeffrey Ransom (and wife Karen), of Orlando, Florida, and Ward Corky Ransom (and wife Mary Jane), of Boulder, CO. In lieu of gifts or donations to the family, it was Ran's wish that his many friends, loved ones, and countless customers remember him by passing along the smile and legendary customer service brand of kindness he carried throughout his life. Treat others the way you want to be treated, Ran was fond of telling his children. And leave the campground in better shape than when you arrived, so that the next people who come along can appreciate it too.