Reinhold J. Herbinger

The world lost a man, my soulmate, who made everyone feel special. No words can express our sorrow. At 72, 2yrs. 2wks. and 2 days since diagnosis, Herby peacefully passed at 8:54 pm Sept. 19, 2023 at Moffitt CC PCU - Warrior to the end with LMD.

Herby was the most caring, funny, and witty man born Sept. 3, 1951 never losing his sense of humor. Before his diagnosis he had a procedure to remove his spine - he said “it was holding me back.” Married 47 years to his high school sweetie, Dorothy Sosnowski, both graduated from Allentown Central Catholic HS in 1969. Born in Ulm, Germany to Karl and Betty (Prischenk) Herbinger, and brother to Ilona Friedel -all predeceased Ronnie. Uncle to now 50 “kids”-nieces, nephews, great and great great nieces and nephews, Mathilde was born hours before Ronnie arrived in heaven.

Herby graduated from LCCC with his AAS in hotel admin-from age 13 worked at the Gourmet Inn (sister’s/brother-in-law Henry’s) restaurant in Northampton, PA. This was also where he was “pop-pop’s” assistant chef and then bar manager extraordinaire, while also working at Kraft Foods.

Moving to Tampa in 1984, he was the hotel beverage manager at the Lincoln Hotel. Realtor at Tam-Bay and Re-Max followed with Continental Airlines, now United Airlines his employ until his entrepreneurship with Dorothy in New Port Richey, FL as owners of Southwest & Tropical, home decor and garden center of fountains and pottery.

Ronnie’s nickname was “Fishin’ Magician” - as he taught all his “kids” how to tie knots and catch redfish and snook in Tampa Bay; fishing in the mangroves. (Look at ALL that water!). He also taught them how to snow and water ski. Also he enjoyed being the mentor and coaching others on various chess strategies.

Passions were finance /stock research and investing; and gardening/landscaping winning many outstanding Rosarian awards with the Tampa Rose Society. At a high point he had over 150 quality hybrid tea rose bushes.

As a Straz Performing Arts Center usher (and temp. House manager), Ron loved the people and ensured everyone had a great experience at the theatre.

He loved the Philadelphia Eagles and never wavered in his belief they would be in the Super Bowl. One of his prized possessions- a 1961 Chevy Corvette - bought when dating Dorothy - sold in the late 90’s - found and bought back from TN owner to enjoy together again in the 2020’s.

Herby & Dorothy traveled extensively some faves being PR, Costa Rica, Italy, Caymans, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, Australia, England, Scotland and South America. National Parks in the USA were amazing with a month vacay in Anacortes, WA in the San Juan Islands along with Palau in the western Pacific the most memorable.

Ronnie’s corneas were donated to the Lions’ Eye Bank. Dorothy invites you to celebrate her husband’s life at Blount and Curry Funeral Home, 6802 Silvermill Dr., Tampa, FL from 4pm-7pm, Thursday, Sept. 28. Another celebration of life will be held at St. John the Baptist Slovak Catholic Church, 924 North Front St., Allentown, PA, October 21, a gathering from 9 am - 10:30 am, Mass at 10:30 am with a lunch to follow in the church social hall.

One of Herby’s sayings, “Anyone that has ever lived and is not alive today... has died.”

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Moffitt Cancer Center RESEARCH, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, Tampa, FL, 33612, in Reinhold Herbinger’s name. Special thanks to ALL the Moffitt staff who are / were phenomenal in Herby’s care from thoracic to neuro oncology.