Robert "Bob" L. Reinke

Robert L. “Bob” Reinke, age 75, of Appleton, passed away on September 30, 2024. Bob was born on April 4, 1949 in Appleton to the late George and Antoinette (Coenen) Reinke. Bob was a graduate of Appleton East High School, Class of 1968. He married the former Susie Strobl on May 9, 1970 and they enjoyed nearly 42 years together before she passed away on February 16, 2012. He served his country honorably, first as a member of the U.S. Army and later as a member of the U.S. Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring in 1997. He also attended classes at Fox Valley Tech in Appleton. He was employed with Banta Corporation for many years and later joined the Outlook Group as the Logistics Manager. After retirement he started his own business called Renew Home Care and Maintenance as well as taking part time work driving bus for Valley Transit-City of Appleton. He was active and volunteered for several organizations over the years, including the Salvation Army and the V.A. Clinic.

Bob was a very proud father and grandfather and never missed an opportunity to share stories and news about his kids and grandkids with anyone who would listen. Bob loved sharing his 1969 Corvette at many local car shows. He was always willing to give anyone a ride in it (If you were brave enough!). He loved woodworking, fishing, playing golf and spending time at his permanent campsite in Door County with Susie. He also loved watching golf, war movies and documentaries on TV. He loved playing cards, especially Sheepshead and was a regular at Hank and Karens for Tuesday cards and at his buddy Ron Grishaber’s for Saturday cards. He also loved to hang with his “Old Buddies” who he had been friends with for decades.

His favorite saying was “Never bullshit a bullshitter”.

Bob will be sadly missed by his children: Polly (Jay) Olson of Appleton and Chris and (Shelly) Reinke of Appleton, four grandchildren Brady Olson and Olivia (fiancé Jacob Miller) Olson, and Rayne (Tannon) Petersen and Noelle Reinke, 2 great grandchildren; Charlie and Michael, siblings, Jim (Sue) Reinke and Mary Schmidt, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; Shirley Dietzen, Betty (Dave) Schimmers, Terri (Michael) Randerson, and Herman “Sonny” (Paula) Strobl, as well as many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Susie, siblings George Reinke Jr., Joann and John “Tony” Schmidt, Alice and Herman Schultz, Carol and Mike Bunnell, Jerome Reinke, Jean and Dick Neubauer infant sister Ruth Ann Reinke and brother-in-law Melvin Schmidt and his beloved dog Humphrey.

There will be a gathering in celebration of Bob’s life on Monday October 7, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Wichmann Funeral Homes, Tri County Chapel on Oneida Street in Menasha. There will be a time for sharing at the funeral home at 4:00 PM with full military honors to follow. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery of Appleton.

The family would like to thank Dr. Gene Rigstad and his staff for caring for Bob so compassionately over the years. They would also like to thank the staff of Oak Park Place for the excellent care and companionship given to Bob at the end of his life. Thank you as well to the staff at Fresenius Dialysis Center of Neenah for their compassionate care.