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Ronald Kranz - Class of 1951

Submitted by Doug Kendo 1951 on 23/Aug/2026
38.59.11.242

    Ronald W. Kranz was born on November 11, 1933, in Newburgh, New York, lived in Alexandria, Virginia, and passed away on November 6, 2012, at the age of 78.

He was the son of Elmer G. Kranz and Florence C. (Tolson) Kranz. His family lived around the Lacey Field area in New Windsor / Newburgh, New York.

He had a brother named Donald G. Kranz (a United States Army veteran and Pratt Institute graduate who passed away in May 2025).

He graduated NFA and from the State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College at Fort Schuyler in June 1955, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in marine engineering.

Following his college graduation, he relocated to Alexandria, Virginia. In the mid-1960s, records show him living at 1611 Cortland Road in Alexandria.

He was an active sports car enthusiast. Local news archives from 1961 note that he participated in the regional Virginia Reel Rally sports car race, finishing in ninth place driving an Alfa Romeo.

He married Marilyn Ball. On July 28, 1965, they welcomed a son named Kevin Edwin Kranz, who was born at Alexandria Hospital.

He passed away on November 6, 2012. Public records suggest his final arrangements were handled in Raleigh/Wake Forest, North Carolina, indicating he may have moved further south later in life.

Ronald W. Kranz was a United States Navy Veteran. Because he graduated from SUNY Maritime College (Class of 1955) in the marine engineering program, he was trained both as a merchant marine officer and as an officer for the U.S. military. He held a commission as an Ensign in the United States Naval Reserve (USNR). Rank: Ensign (commissioned upon his college graduation in June 1955).