Erik Ranta, 57, died Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. He was born in Fort Eustis, Virginia on October 27, 1964, to Gilbert Dean Ranta and Virginia Mary “Such” Ranta. He graduated from Fall Mountain Regional High School in 1983. During high school, he attended Keene Vocational Center for two years where he studied the machine shop program. In 1982, he began an internship at MPB Timken in Keene, New Hampshire. He enlisted in the Army upon graduating from Fall Mountain Regional High School. In 1983, he was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. After the Army, he worked at MPB Timken in Keene, New Hampshire as an HVAC technician until his retirement. 

Erik owned two small businesses in Keene. One was Checkered Flag North where he sold racing collectibles. The other was Erik’s Mobile Bait. You may remember seeing him driving around in his bright yellow Ford covered in fish. He loved fishing, shooting, four wheeling, camping and all outdoor activities. 

Erik is survived by his mother, Virginia, son, Kevin Michael Ranta, two daughters, Maria Anne Ranta, and Kelly Lin Ranta, one brother, Gilbert Dean Ranta Jr. of Pawley Island, South Carolina. He was preceded by one sister, Ann Marie Pryor. 

Erik Ranta’s Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, September 4 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Surry Mountain Dam Lake Park. All are welcome to attend.