Paul Edward Reinhart Jr.

Paul Edward “Ted” Reinhart, Jr., the Voice of Western Sounds in central Pennsylvania, left this world peacefully in his sleep on April 1, 2025, a few days after his ninety-fifth birthday, at his home in Toano, Virginia.

Paul was born on March 27, 1930 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, to Paul Edward Reinhart, Sr. and Gladys Prosser Reinhart. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his first wife, Ruth Snyder Reinhart. He is survived by his devoted wife, Cynthia R. Peery; by his daughters, Terri Schleiden and Suzanne Kuhns; and by two grandchildren, Kaleena S. Rallis and Paul C. Rallis.

Paul had a remarkable six-decade career as a performer and an authority in Western-themed entertainment, with numerous accomplishments as a singer, actor, recording artist, radio and television personality, filmmaker, voice-over artist, writer, and educator.

Paul’s career began during his first year at Pennsylvania State University–Altoona, where he was a radio announcer on campus and for local station WHUN. He attended the American University in Washington, D.C., where he was a radio personality on campus and for local stations. He was hired immediately by WEAM in nearby Arlington, Virginia, as the disc jockey for “Ted’s Top Tunes” and as a commercial voice.

Paul returned to Pennsylvania in 1953, where he was the first on-screen face for the new WFBG television in Altoona and broadcast seven days a week for seven years in sports, children’s entertainment, and local events. He resumed his radio career concurrently on WHUN in Huntingdon, first as a disc jockey and then with an astonishing 49-year run as the weekly co-host of “The Ted and Ruth Nostalgia Show” for more than 2,000 episodes before a live audience. For more than a quarter century Paul produced and presented radio shows such as “Western Showdown,” “1900-1960 Hits,” and “Big Band Blast” for stations in Pennsylvania.

A smooth baritone in the classic style, Paul presented up to eighty live performances each year and recorded eleven albums of Western music. Paul wrote, produced, and narrated the acclaimed documentary films “Locations Westward” for PBS and “My Love Is the West” for the home video market. Paul performed at the Williamsburg Film Festival from its beginning in 1997 until 2006. For twenty years Paul’s voice was heard on the Lake Raystown tour boats, describing the history, sites, and natural beauty for countless visitors to his beloved Pennsylvania.

Paul was an eloquent writer who regularly contributed articles on Western film and entertainment to publications such as Film Buff, Big Reel, and many more; and he was the author of The Ted Reinhart Western Album.

Paul devoted his talents to the community, for twenty years as master of ceremonies and performer with the Easter Seals Telethon on local cable stations. For ten years Paul was a certified Adult Continuing Education instructor, in subjects such as professional communications skills, Western film, and the Christian Faith. With his parents, Paul also operated the historic Edgewater Acres Bed and Breakfast in Alexandria, Pennsylvania.

Paul met Cindy Peery at the Charlotte Western Film Fair in 1983. Their shared love of Western films and horses grew into a devoted personal friendship and the eventual realization that they were meant to be together, and they were married in May 2019.

Paul was able “to make lemonade out of lemons.” He was a devout Christian Scientist whose faith sustained him through the travails of human wiles. Paul’s friends know that the Lord’s invincible justice will look favorably upon Paul, on Earth in his memory and for all of Eternity.

Paul was interred on April 4 at Williamsburg Memorial Park following a graveside service.

Contributions in Paul’s memory may be made to Health Wagon, P.O. Box 7070, Wise, Virginia 24293; thehealthwagon.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.NelsenWilliamsburg.com.