Robert “Bob” Rink

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Saturday, August 13, 1927
Date of Death:
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Age:
89 years old

Visitation

Date: Wednesday March 29, 2017
Time: 10:00 am

Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]

Funeral Service

Date: Wednesday March 29, 2017
Time: 11:00 am

Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]

Burial

Location: Calvary Cemetery Cresco, IA [ view map ]

Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Saturday, August 13, 1927
Date of Death:
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Age:
89 years old
Macken Funeral Home Memorial Photo
Date of Birth:
Saturday, August 13, 1927
Date of Death:
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Age:
89 years old

Robert “Bob” Rink

Robert “Bob” Martin Rink, age 89 passed away peacefully at Golden Living East in Rochester on March 25, 2017.

Bob was born on August 13, 1927 to Henry and Nora Rink in Lime Springs, IA. Following country school in Elma, IA, he graduated from Elma High School. After high school he worked on the family farm before enlisting in the US Army. He was stationed in Germany during his enlistment. Following medical discharge, he returned to Cresco, IA, where he met JoAnn Eleanor Jordan. The two were married on July 19, 1955 in Cresco, IA at Assumption Catholic Church. Bob started working at Rath Packing Co. in Waterloo, IA where he was employed until it closed in 1982. At this point in his life, he decided to “make his move” and start doing what he loved: driving cars and traveling the country. He was proud to have visited almost all of the 50 states. One of the famous stories during this time involved Bob getting lost in New York City for over seven hours while delivering a Winnebago Camper. He passed the Statue of Liberty three times! Bob loved the harmonica, playing rummy with his family, and buying scratch-off lottery tickets from places he traveled.

He is survived by his sons: Dave (Vickie) Rink of Rochester and Jeff (Angela) Rink of Sioux Falls, SD, three grandchildren: Matt (Kelly) Rink of Minneapolis, Jennifer (Jeff) Anderson of Rochester, Jordan Rink of Sioux Falls, SD, three step-grandchildren: Emily, Abby, and Adam Groth of Sioux Falls, SD, and a great-granddaughter, Charlotte Michelle Rink.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother Philip, and a daughter-in-law, Liesl Rink.

The Funeral Service for Bob will be held on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at 11:00AM in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the Chapel. Burial will be in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Cresco, IA. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 92 of Rochester.

Condolences

The family of Robert “Bob” Rink has received the following condolences.

Dear Dave & family,


I'm so sorry to hear of hear loss of your dear father, Bob.  We were so happy to buy the family home and the "workshop" from you and your Dad and we trust that he would have been proud of the job we did in the remodel of the workshop! You can see photos at our website sommerfeltfamilyhousing.com/FOR-RENT.html - The tenants that have had the privilege to live in the family home never stop appreciating the beauty and the craftmanship clearly done with loving hands. With deepest sympathy, Sue Schauls & Andy Sommerfelt.

Dave,


  So sorry to hear of the loss of your Dad.  I'm sure he and Art are up there catching up!!! 


Prayers, love and light...


Linda Rink-Santoro

Jeff & family,


 


I was sorry to hear of the loss of your father. My thoughts are with you and your family.


 


Kim Thormodsgard 

Jeff, Angela and family, 


Sorry for your loss of your dad.  It was amazing to read the stories in the obituary.   He sounds like he was a very interesting man.


Blessings as you share time with one another as you grieve his loss.  Take care of yourselves.   


Jay and Rebecca 

I wold like to send my condolences to family  of Bob Rink I have Bob 22 years when we started driving cars  he was a very good friend he always thanked us for bringing him back from Minn  so he could  go south Dakota hjs daughter in law was in bad  shape I remember a few visits to casino I'm really going toss talking with him  Lloyd and Martha buchanan

We first became acquainted with Bob when our daughter married his son Jeff in 1991. In the 15 years Jeff & Liesl were married preceding her death, Bob and Joann would visit us fairly often in Sioux Falls and Bob would stop in whenever he would drive a vehicle through Sioux Falls to be delivered elsewhere. He loved Liesl like a daughter and made a habit of calling her daily when possible @ 4:00 p.m. with  his greeting and daily joke. After Jordan was born, his visits were even more frequent. We marveled at his age related agility as he would get down on the floor and play with Jordan for hours. He was hard working, kind, compassionate and fun loving and we feel very privileged to have met Bob and been s special part of his life. Rest In Peace Bob-you lived a full and productive life and fathered two wonderful sons.


 

101

Carol and I were truly sorry to hear the passing of BOB. As a school friend of David's from kindergarten thru High School I spent a lot of time at the RINK HOUSE! the card games on the front porch with Bob refereeing and joining in many times. I was brought into your family as if one of your parents own. We had a good time going to Waterloo Black Hawk hockey games with Bob driving us in the old FORD Econoline van. Bob doing donuts in the snow in the parking lot. Later on in life listening to all of the travel stories from around the country on his vehicle deliveries. Playing the harmonica at anniversary parties at the Knights of Columbus in Waterloo. I can still hear him playing and laughing. We will miss your dad as much as your family will. Love and prayers to you all.

Bob worked for me at Rath packing co. For years and I really enjoyed his humor.

Dave and family,


So sorry to hear of the loss of your father. I remember him well. Always at the hockey rink and other sporting events supporting all of us during our games and practices.


My family's thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.


May you find peace in all the fond memories you have and knowing he will be smiling down on all of you in the days to come.


Sincerely,


Russ and Stacey Bentley

It has been many years since we were neighbors to your family.  Dave and Jeff you were/are friends with my sons, Dennis and Courtney Messingham.  Larry and I enjoyed your dad while living by you.  He was so much fun, funny and a great neighbor.  I remember so often his grill going in the back with fried chicken..  and generic beer.  I am sorry that you have lost him.  I have always remembered him and your mom also... We lost Larry 19 months ago and it will be a sad time for you.  Hopefully knowing friends care will help you and your families get through this...    My condolences to you.   101

Our prayers go out to the family Dave & Jeff you had a wonderful father and in your hearts you still have a wonderful father and always will. He has left you with a lot of good memories may they help soften the burden. He was a great friend of ours to even though Jake's memory doesn't allow him to remember much he remembered Bob and cried when I told him saying they were to go together but it doesn't work that way I told him.10 God has an angel in heaven and I am sure he will find a place to get scratch offs. Our Prayers are for you 2 and your families. God Bless You Jake & Myrna