Dear Ann, Donna, Glen and the rest of Doug Rankin’s family and friends:
I am very saddened by Doug’s passing this week. I spent some wonderful time with him and Ann on my two trips to Canada and, of course, on their adventures to Australia, which he regularly referred to as “the Garden of Eden.” He was always able to purchase a used car with a guaranteed resale for a confirmed price. No one here could ever get a deal like that from a used car salesman! The car ‘thing’ with Doug intrigued me, especially when I noticed that he and Ann named their vehicles. The ultimate honour came when they named one ‘Michael’, after me! Back yard sheds are an institution here in Australia but I have never seen one whose contents rivalled those of the garage in Palishall Road. I still use a torch and a pair of tweezers that Doug gave me with the assurance that such items were necessities of life. He seemed to have a tool handy for any job. The memories are numerous and precious.
Doug’s sense of humour, curiosity about the world, chattiness and self-deprecating demeanour were simply endearing. I sincerely loved him and my heart goes out to Ann who was the other half of an extraordinary double act. We have lost a very special human being.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Michael Scott (Montville, Queensland, Australia)
