Robert Rinke, 91

Robert James “Bob” Rinke, 91, passed away on July 22, in Whitefish.

Bob was born on October 15, 1934, in Great Falls, Montana, to Edward Phillip Rinke, Jr. and Lucille (Mouton) Rinke. He grew up in Culver City, California, graduated from Hamilton High School in 1952 and spent many of his younger years surfing along the California coast.

After high school, Bob worked for his family’s business, City Plywood, in Los Angeles. These experiences helped shape his strong work ethic, practical nature and independent spirit.

Bob married Mary Alene Jarnet in 1958, and they had two children, Leanne and Jay Edward. In 1975, Bob moved to Kalispell, while Alene, Leanne and Jay remained in California. Jay moved to Kalispell in 1981.

In Kalispell, Bob built a successful real estate and rental property business that he continued operating until the final days of his life. He had an instinct for recognizing potential in properties and opportunities others might overlook. He also possessed an extraordinary gift for numbers, calculating complex figures in his head and recalling details involving properties, investments and finances with remarkable accuracy.

Bob loved discussing business, construction and investments. One of his best-known sayings reflected his outlook: “It could be a good deal.”

Bob met Vicki Larson in 1979. They married in 1980 and shared 46 years together. Their life included family, work, travel, motorcycles and construction projects.

Bob especially loved riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles. He and Vicki traveled throughout North America and Europe. He valued the freedom of the open road and the opportunity to discover new places.

A skilled carpenter and craftsman, Bob enjoyed woodworking, construction and repairing things with his own hands. He built and remodeled homes, restored what others might have discarded and completed many projects for family and friends. He took pride in work that was practical, durable and built to last.

Bob was an outdoorsman who deeply loved Montana, hunting, camping and spending time in nature. He also had a lifelong enthusiasm for motorcycles and sports cars, especially Corvettes.

Strong-willed, private and fiercely independent, Bob formed his own opinions and lived life on his own terms. Those qualities helped him build a successful business, solve difficult problems and pursue a life filled with work and adventure. Retirement never suited him.

Over the years, Morell Eldridge and his wife, Rechel Eldridge, became a cherished part of Bob and Vicki’s family. Their presence held a meaningful place in his life.

Bob was preceded in death by his mother, Lucille (Mouton) Rinke; his son, Jay Edward Rinke; his father, Edward Phillip Rinke, Jr.; his sister, Donna Lucille (Rinke) DeMar; and Vicki’s son, Kenneth Wayne “Buddy” Larson, Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Vicki Jean (Larson) Rinke; his daughter, Leanne (Rinke) Vaccaro, and her husband, Tom Vaccaro; his grandchildren, Gina (Vaccaro) Wendt and her husband, Robert Wendt, Natalie (Vaccaro) Wiik and her husband, Alex Wiik, and Andrew Vaccaro; and his great-grandchildren, Charles Wendt and Oliver Wiik.

He is also survived by his granddaughter, Katie (Larson) Hockett; her husband, Brandon Hockett; and their daughter, Bob’s great-granddaughter, Kenley Hockett.

Bob will be remembered as a businessman, builder, carpenter, outdoorsman, traveler and motorcyclist. He lived with determination, ingenuity and an enduring readiness to consider the next opportunity that just might be “a good deal”.