It is with very heavy hearts that we write this article, as we recently learned that our respected founder, Bill Rinke, has passed away after a battle with cancer. Bill was a long-time racer, instructor, and vintage racing enthusiast who will be missed by many. All of his friends here in the Heartland Vintage Racing group are grateful for everything Bill did for our club and the vintage racing community in general. Here is Bill’s obituary:
William A. (Bill) Rinke, 82, of Reeds Spring, MO, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2014. He was the son of the late James F. and Mary J (Strong) Rinke, brother of the late Elizabeth Melser, and husband of the late Delores Y. (Irvine) Rinke. Bill is survived by his three children: Mary G. (Nicholas M.) Brownsberger of Doylestown, PA; James E. (Vicki A.) Rinke of Katy, TX; and Richard W. (Louise M.) Rinke of Overland Park, KS. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Born in Indianapolis, IN, Bill graduated from Princeton High School, Princeton, IN, where he and his family were long-time residents. He served in the U.S. Air force during the Korean War, stationed at Fairchild AFB, Spokane, WA. He then had a long successful career as a Manufacturer’s Representative primarily based in the Kansas City area. He and his wife, Dodie, served in church leadership roles throughout their lives, and Bill served the Boy Scouts of America as Scoutmaster and camp director during the mid-1960’s. Retired in 2001, Bill and Dodie moved to the Table Rock Lake area, outside Branson, MO.
- HVR wishes you Godspeed, Bill Rinke.
True to his Indianapolis roots, Bill was a lifelong racing aficionado and won many races on the Vintage Racing circuit in his 1962 Lotus Super 7 (Old 77). He was an SCCA driving instructor, member of the Age and Treachery Vintage Racing and British Car clubs and founded the Heartland Vintage Racing Association in 2009. Until his final illness, Bill was never still, and at age 80 obtained his CDL, drove the Branson Trolley, and drove and maintained the Kimberling City United Methodist Church Bus. He also contributed to the Church Safety Committee and designed driving safety courses for young drivers in collaboration with MODOT and SCCA. Throughout his racing career, he introduced many to the sport of racing.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kimberling City United Methodist Church (www.umckc.org), or Seasons Hospice, Springfield, MO (www.springfieldhospice.com). Visitation will be Friday, November 7 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Stumpff Funeral Home in Kimberling City, MO. Funeral service will be Saturday, November 8 at 11:00 am at Kimberling City United Methodist Church, followed by graveside service at Pinecrest cemetery.
