Berlioz, Harold in Italy: Serenade - Toscanini

Mom (Sharon) shared this music with me and said it was among Dad's favorites. She also said it was part of his more romantic side since the music is supposed to be based off Lord Byron's poem Childe Harold's Pilgrimage.

A Post from Sharon

Mimi said...

First, he graduated from Bowman-Gray School of Medicine, 5th in his class! It was the day before Elizabeth Christine Ranes was born. Grandma worked as a teacher, full-time, and gave every cent to your dad and his family so that he could get through medical school. Humm, maybe I should do that? What a wonderful example from Grandma Ranes! She was an amazing woman and I loved and respected her. Your Granddad Ranes was wonderful too. Did you know they used to have a band? They were great parents standing for strong values, high morals, good citizenship, & well-loved and respected by their families and communities. Their three daughters are wonderful too. You all have a wonderful family of which you can be proud. Ranes is a great name!

Your dad was a great artist, did you know that? When we lived in St. George, he took art classes with me. He only showed up on occasion, but when he did he had a good eye for drawing. We took lessons from a gal named Joan Perry, she used the name Japari on her paintings at that time. She did the polo scene that now hangs above David's bed.

He had gold flecks in his deep blue eyes. Where he was fair, his brother was dark, so one twin was like granddad and one like grandma. The only photo of the twins prior to Richard's burial (Richard was Grandma's grandfather's name) shows one with a mussed dress, the other perfectly straight. Of course, Richard never moved. You all know the story of Granddad James Lilbert Ranes, MD (he had three brothers who were also doctors), wanting the best for Esther in her first delivery. He knew it was twins so he sent to Chicago for a brand new obstetrician, who chain-smoked and didn't do much until he felt the twins were ready to be born. He set and used forceps to pull the boys out. When Ray was born, the doctor handed him to his father, your Granddad Ranes, then he turned back and pulled out Richard. In the process he broke the baby's neck. Granddad Lilbert took him.

Grandma often told me the story of recovering in the big bed at the top of the super-wide staircase. It was three days since the birth, and Ray had not cried once. She knew her father-in-law feared for Ray's life too. He had bruising on either side of his forehead. Esther listened to slow, deliberate steps coming up the stairs. From out of the bedroom across the hall from where Grandma laid, Ray cried. She heard the sound of Lilbert's steps suddenly charging up the rest of the steps. He knew, as did Grandma, that once Ray cried, he would be OK. And he was. Later that day the pictures were made of the two brothers. The only one there ever would be.

The finale is, of course, the two brother's are together again, in death, and in paradise. I'm so glad you all buried your dad in Ashland next to his lost brother. He always said that he had lived his life as though a part of him was missing - his brother.

Kind of a sad story, but one that should offer insights into who he was.

Next I'll tell about Aunt Dorothy taking Ray to a baby beauty contest. Now, that's a funny story!

To Sharon

"THY HUSBAND, DEAR,
NOW OFT RECALLS,
THY BURDEN'S BORNE,
MID CARES & TOILS,
WITH CLOUDLESS BROW &
SMILING FACE,
WITH SPIRIT BRIGHT &
CHARMING GRACE."

LOVE,
RAY

Holding out? Don't be a slacker!!!

Ok, I know some of you are holding onto pictures, stories, or whatever. Whoever you are, post something!!! It's obvious I don't know what to post...

Sarasota Herald-Tribune - Aug 26, 1960

Ben found this article last night and emailed it to me. I thought it was really interesting. Probably because I didn't know him that well; it gave me a lot of insight into his life. There are a lot of details that I didn't know (he was a lieutenant at Maxwell Airforce Base) , even though so much of it sounds familiar (i.e, horses, dogs, 120-acres).

See the entire article in Google News.

Why Raymond David?

I wrote this in my personal journal today and wanted to share it. I hope it will help you all better understand why I made this blog.

"Last night and today I setup the blog Raymond David. I set it up while thinking about my father. It made me feel good to remember him. Lara, Ben and Whitney all signed up with the blog today. I was surprised how fast I got a response when I sent out the invitations. I hope the blog will allow all of us to record our memories of Dad so that we can get to know him a little better even though he is gone.

I feel like I never got to say goodbye to him. It was really hard for me the day that Jon called me with the news. I got a message from Jon, and as soon as I heard his voice, I knew that Dad had died. I always felt like I didn't see him that often after Mom and Dad were divorced, and most of the time it feels the same way. Like I just haven't seen him in a while. Last night, while setting up the blog, I realized that it has already been 7 years. I guess I don't worry too much because I know that I will see him again. There really is no doubt in my mind that I will see him again.

It is sad for me though, because I felt like I never got to really know him when I was young. By the time I really could have, it was too late. Maybe that is why I felt prompted to setup the blog... so I could get to know him better, through those that knew him most.

Even though he did a lot of awful things, I am thankful that my mother always helped me see the good in him. Even when she wanted to kill him she always said, "He has a lot of good points."

I don't know you very well now Dad. But I know I will one day. I love you."

Obituary: Raymond David Ranes M.D.

I was researching Dad's name today and came across the obituary posted in the Deseret News. It reminded me of the day I heard the news while on my mission. I still have not been able to go see his grave. I hope to take Raymond, Henry and Janae some day soon.

"In memory of our loving father Raymond David Ranes M.D. who always surprised us and lived an adventurous life. After a long battle with cancer he left the cares of this life behind August 13, 2002.

Raymond was born in Ashland, IL Jan 22, 1927 he was a twin and lost his dear brother, Richard at birth. He was the son of Raymond Shields Ranes and Esther Lois Brown. He was a gifted medical doctor and helped many people throughout his career. He graduated third in his medical class from Bowman Gray School of Medicine Class of 1956. He was a veteran who served in both the Navy and Air Force.

He was married twice and is survived by three sisters, eleven children, and nine grandchildren. He also left behind three loving sisters.

Our father taught us many things and we will dearly miss him. He had a great sense of humor and lived life to the fullest. He loved animals and the great outdoors. We are taking him home to Illinois to be buried next to his twin brother in Ashland, IL.

A family graveside service will be Sat. Aug 24, 2002. We are thankful he is at peace and all of his children love him and will miss him."

-See the original internet article here.

A Letter from Raymond to Ben

I found this "needle in a haystack" of junk that Dad left at Kathy Bateman's home in Provo, UT. Kathy called me up in July of 2008, just before graduating from BYU and asked if I wanted some of Dad's old things. Aside from a lot of get-rich-quick reading material, overdraft notices, and a few bows (bow and arrow), I found this letter to Ben. I thought it would be nice to have a copy of Dad's handwriting, and to remember what his letters were like.

About Raymond David

Raymond David Ranes, M.D. (1927 - 2002). What do you remember about him? No one is perfect and not all memories of an individual are positive, but this blog is devoted to preserving the stories, the jokes, and the "good points" of his life.

Please leave a comment or contact aeranes@gmail.com to become an author of this blog.