Richard Reininger Sr.

Richard was born in Stamford, Connecticut joining the proud parents of Frederick Anton Reininger Sr. and Amanda Carstens Reininger and his two brothers, Frederick Anton Reininger Jr. and Herbert Reininger. Dick attended Hebron Academy in Maine where he was on the Hebron Ski Team where he was both a Nordic jumper and alpine racer. At 17, in 1943, Dick enlisted into the Army Air Corps where he rose to the level of Second Lieutenant. Upon completing his service to our Country, Dick entered Colgate University (1949) where he again took up his passion for skiing by racing and jumping for the Colgate Ski Team where he received his athletic Letter.

October 14, 1950 Dick married his college sweetheart, Phyllis M Harder (???) at the Little Church Around the Corner New York City, NY. Dick’s career with Emery Air Freight sent Dick and Phyllis to Atlanta, GA where they started a family – Richard Reininger Jr. and Craig H Reininger. Promotions led the family to Indianapolis, IN where the family added Frederick H Reininger and onto Dearborn, MI with the family additions of Charles P Reininger and Sharon L Reininger. In Michigan, Dick rekindled his passion for skiing by joining the National Ski Patrol where he taught First Aid and tended to the injuries of many.

Dick furthered his career with a transfer to Airborne Freight of Seattle, WA and in 1969 and moved his family to Bellevue, WA. Again, his love for skiing led him to Crystal Mountain, WA where he joined the Volunteer National Ski Patrol and eventually became the Assistant Divisional Director for the Pacific Northwest. Dick’s love for the outdoors led him to working with King County Search and Rescue and acquiring a Golden Retriever, Rascal, who Dick trained with the German Sheppard Search Dogs. Dick introduced Rascal to the Crystal Mountain Ski Patrol where they both helped launch the Crystal Mountain Search Dog teams.

Additionally, Dick will be remembered for his alpine climbing prowess with his successful ascents/descents of the Grand Teton, Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. Helens. In the mid 1970’s, Dick’s career took a change and he created a small transportation company, Suburban Airporter that provided shuttle services from the Eastside cities to SeaTac Airport along with charter bus service which subsequently sold to Shuttle Express. Besides the great outdoors, Dick loved photography, travel and helping others including introducing his family to the wonders of the Pacific Northwest.

Dick spent his late years at Emerald Heights with his beloved wife, Phyllis. They were married and together for over 70 years. Phyllis passed January 9, 2021. Dick and Phyllis are survived by their five children; Richard Jr., Craig H, Frederick H, Charles Phillip and Sharon Wagner.

*COMBINED OBITUARY - RICHARD (DICK) REININGER SR. & PHYLLIS H REININGER*

Richard(Dick) Reininger Sr. was born October 1, 1925 in Stamford, CN and passed away January 4, 2021. Phyllis H Reininger was born April 4, 1927 in Syracuse, NY and passed away January 9, 2021

Phyllis was born in Syracuse, New York to FW Harder and Myrtle P. (Gerst) Harder. Phyllis was the second of three girls, Betty McClellan (eldest) and Joanne (youngest).

Richard was born in Stamford, Connecticut to Frederick Anton Reininger Sr. and Amanda Carstens Reininger joining his two brothers, Frederick Anton Reininger Jr. and Herbert Reininger.

Phyllis grew up playing golf and tennis while attending the Kimberly School in Montclair, NJ while Dick grew up camping, participating in Boy Scouts and skiing – alpine and Nordic jumping in Connecticut and the Hebron Academy in Maine. After high school graduation, Phyllis attended Skidmore College in Saratoga, NY while Dick enlisted into the Army Air Corps and subsequently attended Colgate University in New York. They met each other at a college dance and Dick was enamored.

The year 1950 saw the two marry in New York City and move to Atlanta, GA with Dick starting his career with Emery Air Freight where both Rick and Craig were born. A move to Indianapolis brought Fred into the family followed by Chuck and Sharon when the family moved to Michigan. In 1969, the Reininger family moved to Bellevue, WA after Dick joined Airborne Freight.

As in Maine and Connecticut, Dick rekindled his love for skiing and helping others through his 42+ years with the National Ski Patrol – New York State, Alpine Valley, MI and Crystal Mountain, WA. Dick was enthralled with the Pacific NW, National Ski Patrol, Search/Rescue Dogs (Golden Retriever Rascal) and climbing mountains – Grand Teton, Mt. St. Helens (before 1980), Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier. Dick also established a successful local transportation company – Suburban Airporter and Washington Stage Lines.

Phyllis supported Dick in his adventures while raising four sons and one daughter who were all active following their father’s footsteps – soccer, hiking, skiing and climbing. Not an easy feat! Phyllis was the glue for the Reininger family while she pursued her own interests of tennis, Junior League Sustainers President and President for her Skidmore Alumni Class 50th year reunion.

In December 2020, both Phyllis and Dick contracted COVID 19. While they each survived COVID, the ordeal to conquer the disease found them exhausted. Phyllis and Dick were together to the end of their 70+ year relationship. They are survived and loved by their five offspring, nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Dick and Phyllis would like any memories for them to be directed towards the Crystal Mountain Volunteer Ski Patrol and/or the Junior League of Seattle.