September 30, 2010
Memorial planned Oct. 3 for Randolph ‘Ran’ Hennes
A memorial service for Randolph “Ran” Hennes, former associate director of the University Honors Program and history department lecturer, will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, at the UW’s Center for Urban Horticulture, 3501 NE 41st Street.
Hennes died at age 79 on Sept. 13, from lymphoma complications. He was born and raised in Seattle and attended the UW on an NROTC scholarship, graduating with a B.A. in 1952 and receiving his ensign’s commission. After three years in the Navy, including service in the Pacific during the Korean War, he returned to the University and completed his doctorate in history. He taught at Wayne State University in Detroit then returned to the UW in 1971, beginning a 40-year career during which he served as associate director in the UW Honors Program and taught a variety of courses in military history.
His expertise in military history also landed Hennes the role of on-camera historian for the documentary Pioneers in Aviation: The Race to the Moon. “The scope of history he has at his fingertips is amazing,” documentary creator Bill Winship said. “In fact, his handling of the Cold War is one of the finest commentaries on that period I’ve ever seen on TV.”
Also an expert on campus history, Hennes enjoyed sharing that history with students. A 2000 article in The Daily featured Hennes teaching about the background of a campus elm tree that dates back to the Revolutionary War. Hennes said, “I want students to take pride in this campus, as more than buildings to go into and out of. Getting the most out of college is sinking your roots into the place.”
For many years he provided advising service to incoming students and their families, including student- athletes in the athletic department, keeping them on track academically and helping them navigate the university system. Generations of Honors students and student-athletes benefitted from Hennes’ assistance. He was nominated for a Distinguished Staff Award in 1998 for his dedication to students and the University.
Former student Raz Barnea (’05) remembers, “Ran taught me that the world can use all the kindness it can get, and that taking a few minutes to talk with someone can change their lives in ways beyond immediate imagination.”
Tim Washburn, former assistant vice president for enrollment services wrote in an e-mail, “Ran never said ‘no’ when asked to serve on various scholarship selection committees, although such activities frequently required taking preparatory work home at night and often staying late on the day of the meeting. He was always ready to serve the university he loved so deeply.”
Hennes had four main interests: his four children, his war stories from all centuries, his students, and his Huskies. He was a huge fan and supporter of Husky football, basketball and crew, and kept in touch with many of his former students, now scattered across the U.S.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to the Ran Hennes Honors Scholarship fund.
