Former GRF executive director Randy Ankeny has died
OBITUARY
Former GRF Executive Director Randy Ankeny, who oversaw landmark projects such as the globe and pool renovations, and ensured Leisure World residents had top priority when COVID-19 vaccinations became available, has died. He died on Christmas Day of complications related to a brain aneurysm, according to his family.
Ankeny began his eight-year tenure as the new executive director of Seal Beach Leisure World in June 2013, hailing from Arizona, where he was general manager of a large adult resort complex, according to then-GRF President Tim Bolton.
Ankeny left Leisure World in November 2021 to take the position of executive director for the upscale Vintage Club Master Association in Palm Springs. He moved to be closer to his family, especially his grandson, Ryker, he said at the time.
Ankeny was known in Leisure World for providing skilled leadership to the GRF and Mutuals, renovating old—and creating new—amenities, and stabilizing Leisure World during a time of COVID-19-related turmoil with his “Community Unity” campaign.
Notable among his many accomplishments was his proactive response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He made sure Leisure World’s at-risk residents would be among the first outside the medical community to receive the vaccinations. More than half the community received free vaccinations at convenient on-site clinics.
He made sure Mutual and GRF business was conducted without interruption even though in-person meeting rooms—and all amenities— were closed.
He instituted Zoom and YouTube to facilitate meetings, ensuring legal requirements for access by shareholders were met.
GRF directors who worked with him from 2013-2021 remember him as having an astute risk-management focus. He established robust reporting and safety measures to minimize employee injuries, accidents and community fires.
During his tenure, Ankeny oversaw the complete rebuilding of the 1960s era pool, the refurbishment of the Fitness Center, the reconstruction of the landmark LW globe, the Pool Room and GRF offices, plus clubhouse upgrades.
Ankeny and his team created from scratch a state-of-the-art learning center and a videoequipped demonstration kitchen for community educational classes, plus Mission Park, the pickleball courts, Veterans Plaza and the Game Room.
“Randy fulfilled the GRF board’s ambitious plans to restore, rebuild and improve Leisure World,” wrote then-GRF President Susan Hopewell in Ankeny’s 2021 farewell tribute.
Ankeny “leaves behind a legacy rooted in family, loyalty and the meaningful connections he built throughout his life,” according to a statement from his son, Ryan. “Randy was a man who believed deeply in people. Whether in his personal life or his professional world, he had a gift for creating a culture of trust, respect and genuine care. Those who crossed paths with him rarely forgot the way he made them feel valued.”
He is survived by his devoted wife, Laurie Ankeny, and his two sons, Ryan and Larson, who were his greatest pride. Ankeny’s family continued to grow in ways that brought him immense joy. He cherished his daughter-in-law, Tessa Ankeny, and he adored his grandson, Ryker Ankeny, whose energy and spirit lit up his life. Ankeny embraced his role as a grandfather with the same warmth, intention and heart that defined everything he did.
A celebration of Ankeny’s life will be held in the spring at Dog Beach in Huntington Beach, a place that reflects his love for family, connection and the simple joy of being together.
Friends and loved ones will gather to honor his memory, share stories and celebrate the life of a man who gave so much of himself to others.
