Richard Allen Bantz

BANTZ, Richard Allen “Ranger Rick” Age 69, of Trotwood, passed away on Thursday, October 21, 2021. He was born on July 15, 1952 at Wright Patterson Air Force Base to his parents, Richard L. “Dick” Bantz & Sandra (Hay) Bantz. Survived by son Jeremy Bantz, daughter Loni (Kip) Faircloth, brother Doug (Jean) Bantz, sister Carole (Bill) Kuntzman, nephews Andy (Jessica) Kuntzman and Brad Bantz, and nieces Jane (Matt) Baldwin and Katie (Tim) Kincaid. “Ranger Rick” graduated from Northmont High School and then attended The Ohio State University, where he graduated in three years despite helping his grandfather Wilson on the farm during weekends. He worked a variety of jobs throughout his life but his favorite was the ten years he spent as Chief Naturalist for the National Audubon Society at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. It was there that he found his calling for instilling others with a sense of wonder for the natural world and was well-known for his school presentations and field trips. His passion for the environment and its conservation was infectious and he received many accolades from both young and old. Ranger Rick earned the distinction of Eagle Scout growing up, and that love of the outdoors never wavered. He was a very avid fisherman and loved visiting the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness, but he also enjoyed hunting, camping, hiking, stargazing, bird-watching, or just simply being outside. He took pride in leaving a place better than he found it and was always picking up litter wherever he went. He could identify practically any plant or animal and astonishingly could still rattle off the scientific name of almost any species that could be found in Ohio or southern Florida! In addition to spending time in nature, he was very athletic and fun-loving and enjoyed playing games and sports of all kinds (especially Euchre and Pinochle). He liked going to Dayton Dragons and Cincinnati Reds games, festivals, and auctions, collecting feathers, participated in Christmas bird counts, and loved to sit on the porch and watch birds in his backyard jungle. Ranger Rick was very charismatic and enjoyed meeting new people; he could (and would!) talk to anyone about anything. He had a great sense of humor and could always be counted on to share a joke or funny anecdote. In lieu of a service, a private family memorial will be held at a later date to celebrate his life. Please feel free to share fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Bantz family below.