Carl Rinne, age 77, passed away at Huron Woods, St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI, on the morning of December 11, 2013, after a long struggle with Lewy Body Dementia. Born on July 9, 1936 in Cleveland, OH, to Carl Rinne, Sr. and Maxine Rinne, both deceased, Carl was preceded in death by his two younger brothers, David Rinne and Stephan Rinne. Educated at DePauw University and Stanford University, Carl served a tour of duty in the U.S. Naval Reserve, during which time he visited Japan and other Far Eastern ports, much to his delight and edification. He taught high school English in several California Bay Area schools, including Palo Alto High School. Upon completion of his Ph.D. degree at Stanford, Carl was appointed Principal of the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools High School. Coming to the University of Michigan in 1970, he served as Education Director of the Environmental Simulation Laboratory in the UM School of Natural Resources, as Assistant to the Dean of the UM-Flint campus, and then as Assistant Professor and Associate Professor of Education at UM-Flint where he was also a faculty member in the Public Administration program. While on a sabbatical in Japan, he was Visiting Professor at Kyoto University. During his teaching years, Carl originated several new courses, published three textbooks on classroom management and leadership skills, and invented a simulation training technology which later came to be called “Skills Central.” In 1962, Carl married Mary Johns of Ft. Wayne, IN. He is survived by their children, Melissa Rinne and John Rinne, several cousins and nieces, and granddaughter Marie Okada. In 1999, Carl married Tamara Real, who lovingly cared for him throughout their marriage and his later illness. Carl and Tamara converted a century-old Ann Arbor church to their home. In “The Church on Fountain Street,” they hosted musical and dramatic events as a treasured part of their active social life. Carl performed music all his life, particularly as a vocalist and trombonist. He performed for over two decades in “PRIME Vocal Jazz,” making two singing tours to Europe, and appearing in numerous music festivals including the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Carl was especially thrilled with his opportunities to sing in choruses in Carnegie Hall and in the Moscow Academy, Russia. After many decades as a choir soloist in the Episcopalian church, he converted to Russian Orthodoxy and became a beloved choir member. Carl was also active as a trombonist in the 5-trombone ensemble “JazzBones” and the Saline Big Band during the decade of 2000. One of Carl’s favorite athletic activities was “Flounders,” a unique and vigorous brand of water polo played three times each week and followed by convivial lunch at the University Club, Michigan Union. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 12, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at St. Vladimir Orthodox Church, 9900 Jackson Rd., Dexter, MI 48130 (www.stvladimiraami.org). Burial will be Friday, December 13 at 10:00 a.m. at Forest Hill Cemetery in Ann Arbor. A celebration of “All Things Carl” will take place at a future date. Carl and his family request that donations in lieu of flowers be given in Carl’s memory to either the Lewy Body Dementia Association (www.lbda.org) or to a worthy cause of your choice.
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