University Architect Park Lawrence Rankin, who oversaw transformative building and renovation projects on Pitt’s campuses during his tenure (2000-2015), died on Sept. 10, 2023, at 73.
Among his most visible work, he oversaw:
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Construction and improvements to research and teaching facilities, including the Chevron Science Center addition, Clapp-Langley complex, the Biomedical Science Tower 3 (the largest Pitt construction since the 1970s), the Regional Biocontainment Laboratory, reworking Benedum Hall for the School of Engineering (including an addition for the Mascaro Center for Sustainable Innovation) and the School of Public Health addition
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Academic department renovations in the Cathedral of Learning, Posvar Hall and the William Pitt Union
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Athletic venue improvements and construction at the Fitzgerald Field House, Petersen Sports Complex and Trees Hall pool
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Residence hall development on the Oakland and regional campuses, such as Panther, Irvis and Nordenberg halls and the Darragh Street apartments
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Historic preservation work at Allegheny Observatory, Alumni Hall and the University Club, as well as the cleaning of the Cathedral of Learning
“A lot of the campus is the way it is today because of him,” noted Daniel Marcinko, assistant vice chancellor for administration in business and operations, who recalled Rankin as well-respected by all. “He was very easy to work with. He was able to make decisions very quickly, especially decisions that needed quick turnaround.
“He was a calm person and very thoughtful and deliberate, and he took pride in his work,” Marcinko added. “He was very steady in his approach to campus esthetics. He liked consistency, and he also wanted to build quality,” from an addition to Falk School to the major renovations to many floors in the Cathedral of Learning, which Marcinko believes had not been done since it was finished in the 1930s.
Rankin earned his bachelor of architecture degree from Kent State University and eventually chaired the American Institute of Architecture as president of the Pittsburgh chapter when it hosted Britain’s Prince Charles during their Remaking Cities Conference.
Ron Leibow, now director of capital project management, worked with Rankin as a senior project manager at Pitt for a dozen years until Rankin’s retirement. Leibow saw the University architect’s role as “the design conscience of the University, responsible for the design stewardship of the University in its current form and its future forms.” He estimates that Rankin was involved in hundreds of projects during his decade and a half here, which included the modern steam plant and the transformation of the University’s bookstore to its current incarnation.
“The improvements that happened under his tutelage are pretty incredible,” Leibow said. “He was contemplative and decisive, which is what I loved. He would think it through and make a decision. He was also collaborative. Those are pretty good traits in leadership.”
He was also tops in his trade: “He understood design systems in architecture. He fully understood how buildings are put together. He knew when he had a good drawing and when he had a bad drawing. He was very good at his craft.
“Project delivery from design through construction is complicated,” Leibow said. “Park was a good problem solver. He was very welcoming of others’ opinions. He was a great mentor in that way.”
Leibow took Rankin on a campus tour several years ago, so Rankin was able to see the completion of some of the last projects he had helped to start. “He was thrilled because he really loved Pitt,” Leibow said.
“He truly understood his craft, and he took great pride in the work produced under his leadership and its contribution to the University’s education, research, and community service mission.”
Park Rankin is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jan Rankin; children David (Kristyna) Rankin and Sean (Elizabeth) Rankin; grandchild Helena Claire Rankin; sisters Mary Jo (Dan) Bethem and Carole (Ron) Richardson; and many nieces and nephews.
A gathering will be held at the funeral home, Pittsburgh Cremation & Funeral Care, 3287 Washington Road, McMurray from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 23, with a service starting at 12:30 p.m.
Memorial gifts are suggested to the American Cancer Society (https://donate.cancer.org).
— Marty Levine