James Rankl

James “Jim” G Rankl, 92, of Cheyenne, WY passed away peacefully on August 7th, 2026.

He was born to Clarence and Ethel (Scheibe) Rankl on January 3, 1934, in the Town of Holton, Marathon County, Wisconsin. He grew up on the family dairy farm which imbued him with a strong work ethic and an internal alarm clock set promptly at 5 am. He attended Pickard Grade School, Abbotsford High School, and graduated from University of Wisconsin Madison in 1957 with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Geology.

He worked in the oil field in South Texas from 1957 to 1959. In October 1959, he went to work for the United States Geological Survey in Wyoming as a Hydraulic Engineering Technician. After completing additional studies in mathematics and science, he was reassigned as a research hydrologist. His research was focused on infiltration and bed load (sediment) transport. He retired from the USGS in 1994. In April of 1994, he traveled to Eritrea, Africa as part of a team of scientists to establish a stream-flow gaging network.

In 1965, he married Mary Harris Sherman and became stepfather to the children from her previous marriage: Deb, Valorie, Carolyn, and Karl. James and Mary welcomed two children of their own, Samuel and Abby. James and Mary were divorced in 1978.

In 1981, he met the love of his life Cynthia M Schwartz. They were married two years later. The family grew again welcoming in Julie and Vicky, Cindy’s existing children. After Jim retired, he and Cindy traveled large areas of the United States visiting family and friends and looking for potential places to relocate for retirement. Many places were found, but none quite measured up to Cheyenne.

James’ favorite days were spent doing field work for the USGS, spending time with family, woodworking, reading, and in earlier years, hunting. James loved the outdoors. He had lots of stories of growing up on the dairy farm and “causing trouble” with his brothers, Jerry and Guy. James had a lot of curiosity about the world and loved to share knowledge with others. Family dinner conversations often centered around science and history.

He is survived by his son Samuel (Amy) Rankl and daughter Abigail (Jeffery) Carroll; stepdaughters Julie (Alan) Fuller and Vicky (Dan) Corby; seven grandchildren, Rachel Christoph, Emily (David) Rankl Whetstone, Anna Rankl, Ben (Romy) Carroll, Michael Corby, Megan Corby, and Nicholas Corby; and two great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Braden Whetstone.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Cindy; his parents Clarence and Ethel Rankl; and his brothers Jerome (Arlene) and Guy (Catherine) Rankl.

He requested that no services be held.