Charles "Dewey" Duane Reinhard

It’s been a whole week since we lost our husband/dad on June 29, 2023. We are feeling stunned to not have him here with us. Sitting around the table eating cinnamon rolls—his favorite—we are wondering how we will ever be able to condense Dad and his life into a few words.

But here goes. Charles Duane “Dewey” Reinhard arrived in this world on September 1, 1930, born to John Charles and Ella Columbine Reinhard, in Pueblo, Colorado. In 1945 Chuck, Ella and their four boys moved to Colorado Springs. Dewey graduated from Colorado Springs High School in 1948, where he met Carol Jean (Jeanie) Brown. After high school, Dewey attended Colorado A&M for a year before joining the Navy. Following boot camp, he returned home to marry Jeanie. They were married for 72 years.

FUN FACT: Dad had no money for a ring, so while he was in boot camp, Jeanie bought one for him to give her.

Dewey and Jeanie moved east with the Navy, finally landing in Key West. During that time Dad was delighted to be chosen to attend electronics school. This changed his career path and the economic future of our family.

In 1955, Dad and Mom returned to Colorado Springs. Dewey worked in various businesses, and around 1960 Dewey and Jeanie started their own company, Reinhard Electronics. In 1963 they created Appliance Service Company, which still serves Colorado Springs today. Dad would often say that small businesses were his first love.

FUN FACT: Dewey was generous to the extreme and loved sharing their wealth with less fortunate folks.

Dad had many interests and hobbies; he loved to make and fix things. One thing seemed to lead to another, from building models and soapbox cars, to boats and hot rods. He also loved the Pikes Peak Hill Climb and served on its board. Skiing, sailing, fixed-wing flying, ballooning, soaring and trying to break records were other things he did to have fun. Fun became a family value, and Dad often asked “Are you having any fun?”

For fun in the early 1960s, Dewey, Jeanie, and Chuck (Dewey’s dad) learned to fly fixed wing aircraft together. By then Appliance Service Company had expanded to serve Albuquerque. This was a good reason to buy an airplane and do two things Dad loved: flying and small business. Then came his interest in hot air balloons. Like most of his activities, Dewey jumped in with both feet, learning to fly lighter-than-air aircraft quickly so he could compete at Nationals. Dad’s interest in ballooning grew from hot air to gas balloons, especially one that would take him across the Atlantic Ocean. In 1977, Dewey chased his dream of becoming the first person to fly across the Atlantic in a balloon. Even though he didn’t land in Europe, it was an adventure for all involved. He also loved to talk about it and won an Emmy Award for the CBS documentary about his attempt.

FUN FACT: Dad became a student of clouds and the weather out of necessity, and loved explaining it to anyone who would listen.

As part of his love for ballooning Dewey, along with a few others, started the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic, known today as the Labor Day Lift Off. What began with a handful of balloons evolved over the years as a premier hot air balloon event. His goal was to keep this event free for the public, while making it an outstanding experience for balloon pilots.

Throughout his life Dad took an interest in and became friends with many people from all walks of life and nationalities who shared his interests and passions. Spending time with people was important to him.

FUN FACT: Dad loved to talk and tell stories. He holds the world record for having a continuous, unsolicited conversation with a stranger.

Dewey is survived by:

His wife, Jeanie

Three sons: Steve (Barb), Chip (Margie), Tom (Terri)

Grandkids: Josh (Francis), Daniel, Sara (Eric), Jenny (Clarence), Ian, Kelsea, Alex, Jackie

Great grandkids: Wyatt, Danika, Emi, Claire, C.J., Cannon, Cash, Benjamin

A memorial service and party will be held at 11 a.m. on July 27th, at the National Museum of World War II Aviation (775 Aviation Way, Colorado Springs, 80916). Look for the hot air balloon.

In lieu of flowers our family requests donations to Junior Achievement or The Salvation Army.

FUN FACT: Dewey loved museums, especially those focused on the military. He often recommended museums in obscure locations.