Ranken Technical College

Alumni

Edward Boenker

Stationary Engineering, 1941

“Ranken was a wonderful experience, and I have fond memories of my time there. I drove there with my neighbor, in my dad’s Model T Ford, 22 miles each way, every day for two years­— I am happy that I did.”

At 86 years old, Edward H. W. Boenker (who jokingly claims his middle initials stand for “Hard Worker”) has been married for 51 years and raised 10 children - six daughters and four sons.

He was born and raised on the farm which has been in his family for six generations (133 years).  After graduating high school in 1939 he joined what was then called “Ranken Trade School” enrolling in Stationary Engineering courses. With his neighbor Roland Wendt. He commuted 44 miles per day to the College in his father’s Model T Ford.

They lived “way out” in what is now known as Earth City, MO. Mr. Boenker’s children commemorated their father’s Ranken history in 1998 by purchasing a brick for the Gray Building construction project. Their Father’s Day gift in his name can be seen in the atrium of the Gray Building today.

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