Not being able to set the re-circ and have it stay closed, I agree is annoying. For me it's in the winter where I use it the most. I like it closed in the winter to keep the cold air out. Nothing like coming into your car/truck and the foot well is 15 degrees. My 16 GTI was the same way, but I was able to use VAGcom and change it to stay in the position I left it and not reset when the car is started.
I have learned to use the memory from the HVAC to compensate for this with the Ranger. When using remote start, the HVAC will come on if it was on when the truck was running and come on in its last setting, so I just make sure it's on the the footwell setting before I shut it off.