David L. Rankin
HOWARD — Dr. David Lee Rankin, 61, of Apple Valley, Howard, died Sunday, Jan. 22, 2006, at the home of his daughter in San Diego, Calif., where he was visiting.

Dr. Rankin was born Nov. 23, 1944, in New Philadelphia, the son of the Rev. Dr. Victor Lee Rankin and Pearl Katherine (Killian) Rankin while his father was serving his first church in Ohio. When he was 6 years old his family moved to Cuba for 10 years before Castro kicked them out. Dr. Rankin graduated from McBirney Prep School in New York City, earned his B.S. degree from Florida Southern University in Lakeland, Fla., his Doctor of Medicine degree from Miami Medical School in Miami, Fla., and served his Residence and Internship at Balboa Naval Hospital. David served in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps for eight years in San Diego, Calif., and Orlando, Fla., where he was chief of radiology at Orlando Naval Hospital. He then joined Medical Center Radiology Group for 20 years specializing in mammography and ultrasound, and was chief of radiology at the Orlando Regional Medical Center. Because of his perfect Spanish, the Phillips Co. asked Dr. Rankin to go to Chile to teach the proper use of their new ultrasound machines. Because of this work he was recognized with the honor as Father of Radiology in South America.

David was a member of the Gay Street United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon and had been an active member of the Community United Methodist Church in Casselberry, Fla. He was a member and past president of the Florida Southern University Alumni Association; was a member of the Mount Vernon Rotary Club; was co-director of the Multiple Sclerosis Support Group in Knox County; member of the Mount Vernon Ham Radio Club, Apple Valley Singers and the Bad Apples at Apple Valley.

Surviving are his wife, Patricia (Wirick) Rankin, whom he married July 9, 1966; his son and daughter-in-law, Christopher L. and Kimberly Rankin of Columbus; his daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Melissa Katherine Rankin and Matthew John Klein of San Diego, Calif.; his daughter, Keli Ann Rankin of Orlando, Fla.; four grandchildren, Izayah Graham, Malen Rankin, Nicholas Rankin and Siena Klein; four God daughters, Cathi Werden Hodges of Lansing, Mich., Julie Werden Moon of Fort Hood, Texas, Sarah Werden of Gainesville, Fla., and Kodi Parsons of Sun Valley, Idaho; and his brother, the Rev. Dr. Lawrence Alan Rankin of Lakeland, Fla.

His parents preceded him in death.

Friends may call Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Flowers-Snyder Funeral Home in Mount Vernon; and on Monday from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Gay Street United Methodist Church in Mount Vernon where funeral service will follow Monday at 6 p.m. The Rev. Dr. David A. Baker will officiate. Burial will be in Lakeland, Fla.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ohio Buckeye Chapter, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 651G Lakeview Plaza, Worthington, OH 43085. To view this obituary and to send an online condolence to the family visit www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.