Richard Allan Rinker, age 88 passed away peacefully on August 22, 2021. He was born on February 3, 1933, in Grand Rapids Michigan, son of Albert and Thelma (Harwood) Rinker. He was the oldest of three children. Richard is preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law, Patricia Rinker. Richard is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Elsa (Sempertegui) Rinker; brother, Ron Rinker; sister, Mary (Mort) Slowinski; stepsons David (Stephanie) Cozzarelli, Robert (Jane) Cozzarelli and Dino (Lisa) Cozzarelli; grandchildren Monica (Alex) Copelan, Robert “Tito” (Alivia) Cozzarelli, Lauren (Adam) Charron, Andrea (Nick) Cozzarelli, Marie and Anthony Cozzarelli; nephew Peter (Sarah) Rinker; grandnephews, Jackson and Jameson; greatgrandchildren Casey Jo Charron, Charlotte, Cecelia and Calista Copelan.
Richard “Dick” graduated from Iona High School in 1951 and served proudly in the Korean War with the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1956. Richard studied at Central Michigan University and design at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and worked in retail in Illinois and Michigan before moving to Columbus Ohio, where he later met and married the love of his life, Elsa. Richard was an adoring husband, loving stepfather and grandfather and an avid storyteller and a huge Buckeye fan. He loved talking sports and even sold 69 ties (all different == no blue or maize!) to Woody Hayes on Christmas Eve for his national championship team in 1968. Richard had his own bookkeeping business serving many local businesses in and around Columbus Ohio for over 20 years. Richard was a great bowler and played in the Senior Professional Bowling League, loved playing poker with his friends, and enjoyed time with his family. Richard and Elsa moved to Asheville, NC to help take care of their grandchildren and Richard worked for the Grove Park Inn for many years, serving as a concierge and he and Elsa playing Santa and Mrs. Claus for guests and visitors for many years each Christmas. Richard and Elsa later retired and returned to Columbus where they enjoyed many friends. For all who knew him, Richard was the ultimate optimist and could always bring a smile to your face! He will be missed dearly.
Special thanks to the staff and friends at Mayfair Village and Heartland Hospice for the loving care they provided Richard.
A Memorial Mass will be held 11 a.m. Saturday October 16th at St. Brendan Church 4475 Dublin Rd. In lieu of flowers friends may contribute to St. Jude’s Hospital for Children (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=home-btn-donate-now), or Heartland ProMedica Hospice Memorial Fund (https://www.promedica.org/waystogive/hospice-memorial-fund/donate/).
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