Al Rinehart

Born to Albert and Carrie Rinehart on June 11, 1942, Al grew up as a small town boy in St. Mary’s, WV. In his youth, he was a Boy Scout, was baptized at First Baptist of St. Mary’s, took clarinet lessons, learned to hunt and fish and developed exemplary athletic skills.

In high school he lettered in baseball, basketball, football and track for three years. He was scouted by the Pittsburg Pirates, but accepted a football scholarship to Marshall University in Huntington, WV where he majored in secondary education and business administration. Al was inducted into The Robe, men’s honorary scholastic organization, was an officer of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and played fullback for Marshall’s Thundering Herd, making many lifelong friends through these activities.

In 1964 he married his college sweetheart, Linda (Lyn) Thurston. Following graduation from Marshall, they moved to fast growing Brevard County where Al was hired as a Facilities Manager at Kennedy Space Center, supporting the “Man on the Moon” launch.

In 1969 he was hired in the facilities department at Harris Corp., helping develop the large Palm Bay campus of buildings for supporting the space industry and the design of US military equipment. He was elected to the P.B. City Council where he served three years with a focus in planning and developing its growth.

During retirement Al was able to travel with friends and family to many sports activities such as the British Open, the Olympiad, Super Bowls, and spent many happy hours fishing and shrimping the Indian River with his parents and friends. In 2011 he was again recognized for his athletic accomplishments, being inducted into the Mid-Ohio Valley Sport Hall of Fame.

Al is survived by his parents, Albert and Carrie; his wife of nearly 50 years, Lyn; daughter Carrie (Chuck) Scheier; granddaughters, Sydney and Sheriden Schreier; daughter Kristin Marshall and grandson, Joe Marshall, siblings Jerry, Tom and Julie and their spouses and children. He was preceded in death by his brother, PFC Joe Rinehart, USMC.

Memorial services for Mr. Rinehart will be held on Saturday, April 5 at 1:00 at the Graceway Free Will Baptist Church, 938 Lytton Rd. near Eau Gallie Blvd. and Wickham Rd. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Committal services will be held at a later date in St. Mary’s, WV.

Donations in Al’s memory can be made to William Childs Hospice House at 381 Medplex Parkway, Palm Bay, FL 32907.