Tribute to Ragnar Thorisson ’11

Mar 17, 2016

Ragnar Thorisson ’11 passed away Feb. 12, 2016, in his home in Seattle. In 2003, Ragnar was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a rare form of blood cancer. After several years in remission, the cancer returned in 2014. Throughout his illness, Ragnar maintained an outstanding sense of humor and compassion and inspired many people with an online journal of his experiences and insights. He is survived by his partner, Alyssa Penner ’10.

While on campus, Ragnar was an active, thoughtful, and respectful leader in the Grinnell community. He exemplified Grinnell’s ideals of passionate activism and respectful dialogue, demonstrating a deep commitment to building a just and equitable society free from hate and bigotry. In addition to completing an internship with the Gay-Straight Alliance, Ragnar served as the programming coordinator for the Stonewall Resource Center and was a student leader in campus organizations such as A Just Grinnell and the Stonewall Coalition. He was instrumental in the writing and passing of the Hate Crimes and Bias Motivated Incidents Response and Protocols.

Ragnar was also actively committed to serving the larger Grinnell community, undertaking two internships with Mid-Iowa Community Action for which he received their Outstanding Volunteer Award. He traveled to New Orleans over spring break three years in a row through ReNew Orleans to rebuild houses devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Ragnar was the recipient of the Judith Louise McKim Sociology Award and the President’s Medal.

Ragnar is remembered as a brilliant, caring, and sophisticated scholar and as an inspiring activist. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions, which can be made in Ragnar’s name, to support the Department of Sociology at Grinnell College or the Social Justice Fund Northwest.

Make donations to Grinnell College Sociology Department
c/o Office of Development & Alumni Relations
733 Broad Street, Grinnell, Iowa 50112
Or donate online.