Riley Carr Rankin

Riley Carr Rankin, 80, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2025, in Santa Rosa, California, surrounded by family. Riley was born on July 8, 1945, in Clinton, Oklahoma, to Elmo C. and Anna Mae (Carr) Rankin. He and his older brother, Kelly, grew up in the small town of Custer City, Oklahoma, until Riley’s third-grade year, when the family moved to Clay Center, Kansas, in 1954.

Riley was very active in Boy Scouts, Clay County history, particularly Native American artifacts, and high school sports, especially track and football. He won first place in the Kansas Class A State indoor and outdoor quarter mile. He graduated from Clay Center Community High School in 1964. Riley received a track scholarship to attend Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business in 1968.

Riley joined the U.S. Army and attended the Military Intelligence School at Fort Holabird, Maryland. After graduation, he was assigned to the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division in Würzburg, Germany, as a Special Agent and Top Secret Control Officer for all classified information until his departure in May 1972. He later attended Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas, and received a Master of Science degree in Business in the summer of 1973.

He began his professional career with Boeing in Wichita, Kansas, working in the finance office. One year later, he interviewed for a position with the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., where he was hired as a Foreign Service Officer in September 1974. A year later, he was stationed with the American Embassy in Rome, Italy, as a Security Officer. In early 1977, he was selected to join Secretary of State Dr. Henry Kissinger’s protection detail, which was previously handled by the U.S. Secret Service. During this time, Riley provided security protection for Dr. Kissinger during many of his shuttle diplomacy trips to Europe and the Middle East. During one unforgettable evening, he personally met Golda Meir, Prime Minister of Israel, in her Jerusalem home while on Dr. Kissinger’s detail.

As a member of the Diplomatic Corps, Riley was stationed at American Embassies in Rome, Italy; Moscow, Russia; East Berlin, Germany; London, England; Paris, France; and Madrid, Spain, holding various positions as Security, Finance, or Management Officer. He lived overseas for nearly one-third of his life. Some of his unique memories included covering Embassy visits by Presidents, Vice Presidents, Secretaries of State, Senators, Congress members, Ambassadors, and Prime Ministers from other countries. He also provided personal coverage for Kansas Senator Bob Dole and his wife, Elizabeth, during their arrivals, departures, and briefings in London and Paris.

In 1969, Riley received a special invitation initiated by Kansas Governor Bill Avery to attend President Richard Nixon’s Inauguration Ball in Washington, D.C. During his 40+ career years, he felt privileged to have personally met U.S. Presidents, Ford, Carter, Clinton, and Bush, during their Embassy visits.

A little over a year after retiring from the State Department in 1998, he was contacted to help re-establish the American Embassy Finance Office in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. The Embassy had been closed for 19 months due to the NATO bombing of Serbian military positions in Belgrade. For the next 22 years, he covered summer critical personnel gaps as a Finance or Management Officer, with most assignments being at African and Asian posts for 2–5 month periods. In the summer of 2019, Riley assisted in the arrival and departure of Kansas Senator Mike Pompeo’s visit to Kolonia, Micronesia. Having the opportunity to meet Senator Pompeo was a gratifying experience.

Riley and his first wife, Ronda (Young) Lloyd of Clay Center, were blessed with three children, David, Brian, and Stephanie, and eight grandchildren. David and Stephanie graduated from the University of Kansas, and Brian graduated from Kansas State University. Riley married Pam (Smith) in Paris in 1994. They enjoyed 31 wonderful years of travel and special times with their blended family.

Riley was an Eagle Scout, an avid traveler, and an amateur archaeologist who collected Native American artifacts around Clay County—many of which are displayed at the Clay County Courthouse. He traveled to over 120 countries and islands for work and pleasure. Some of his favorite places included Sydney, Australia; New Zealand; German ski resorts; the Greek and Easter Islands; Egypt; the United Kingdom; and the Seychelles.

Riley was most fortunate to grow up in Clay Center. The excellent education and opportunities he experienced there prepared him for his 40-year career with the U.S. Government. He returned to Clay Center a couple of times each year to visit family, friends, and the Rankin farm. Though he traveled the world, his roots and heart always remained in Clay Center, Kansas.

Riley is survived by his wife, Pamela Rankin of Santa Rosa, CA; his children, David (Angela) Rankin of San Diego, CA, Brian (Bridgette) Rankin of Westmoreland, KS, and Stephanie (Sachin) Patel of Houston, TX; and his grandchildren, Tanner, Breanna, and Kylie Rankin; Logan, Leah, and Luke Rankin; and Kalin and Ellie Patel.

He is also survived by his stepchildren, Greg (Sandra) Johnson of Miami, FL, Mark Johnson of Santa Rosa, CA, and Todd (Amy) Johnson of San Francisco, CA; and his stepgrandchildren, Leila, Nina, and Juliana Johnson; Poppy, Hazel, and Daisy Johnson; and Mable and Max Johnson.

Riley is also survived by his brother, Kelly (Janice) Rankin of Vancouver, WA; nieces, Rachel and Jennifer; nephew, John; sister-in-law, Patty (Bruce) Oberhelman of Manhattan, KS; nephew Andy, and niece, Amy Hatfield. Many additional family members and friends who loved him dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmo C. and Anna Mae (Carr) Rankin.

Visitation: Friday, November 21, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Neill Schwensen Rook Funeral Home, Clay Center, Kansas.

Graveside Service and Burial: Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery, Clay Center, Kansas.

Memorial contributions to the Clay County Educational Endowment Association to establish the Riley Rankin scholarship c/o the funeral home.

“Though he traveled the world, his heart always found its way back home.”