Rick was born on March 12, 1938 in Burwood, a suburb of Sydney, Australia to George Henry Reynolds and Ella Veronica Reynolds. They lived in Australia as his father was employed by Goodyear International. His family returned to the US in 1941, during the time of Pearl Harbor. He grew up in Akron, Ohio. His family later moved to Southern Ohio and Rick graduated from Waverly High School in 1956. He attended Miami University and was an active member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He graduated with a degree in Chemistry in 1962.
In 1963, he married his wife, Charlene Hahn. Rick followed in his father’s footsteps and began a 41 year career with Goodyear Tire and Rubber. They had two daughters, Amy and Annie and in 1967 he had his first assignment as Chief Chemist at Goodyear’s start up plant in Karlsruhe, Germany. They were there for 3 years and went on for two years in Turkey. While in Turkey, he attended the branch of University of Arkansas at the Karamursel Air Force Base where he earned his Masters of Science degree. After that, they spent four years in Morocco and then returned to Akron in 1976. In 1979 he was assigned to the Sales division of Goodyear and the family moved to Sao Paulo, Brazil. He sold off road tires primarily in Chile and Peru. His family returned to Akron in 1983 where he expected to stay until retirement. Goodyear had other things planned and he moved with his wife to Denver, Colorado in 1994. He remained in Sales and in 1998 he was transferred to an office in Atlanta, Ga. He and and his wife lived in Weddington, North Carolina while he worked in the Southeast district.
Retirement came in 2003 and he was finally able to dedicate more time to his favorite sport, golf. He loved the sport and started playing in the 2nd grade. He was a linguist and at one time spoke five languages fluently. He was proud to be a member of Mensa, Intertel and the Automative society of Engineers, and the Knights of Columbus. Also was an active member of St Matthew Catholic Church in Charlotte and served as a Eucharistic minister for many years. He volunteered for Holy Angels in Belmont, NC.
He and his wife were active members of the Retirement Couples Club of Charlotte which they joined in 2008. An avid reader, he loved science fiction. He also loved sudoko, crossword puzzles, folk music, good cheeseburgers, milkshakes and his 2002 red Saab convertible.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Charlene Hahn Reynolds; his two daughters, Annie (Chason) Hayes of Charlotte and Amy (Jeff) Bregman of Mount Laurel, NJ; grandchildren Chase, Spencer, Kurt and Gwen Hayes and Taylor, Drew, Mason, Aidan and Kylie Bregman. He also leaves behind his beloved little dog Bentley.
Rick's family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. Monday, November 22nd at McEwen Funeral Service - Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road in Charlotte. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 23rd at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 8015 Ballantyne Commons Parkway. Entombment will follow in Forest Lawn East Cemetery in Matthews.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Holy Angels, 6600 Wilkinson Blvd., PO Box 710. Belmont, NC 28012.
Condolences may be offered at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com.
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