Frank L. Reinig, 95, passed away at St. Peters Hospital Tuesday, April 5, 2011.
Frank was born December 1, 1915 to Ray and Leoti Reinig, ranchers of the Wolf Creek area.
He lived on the ranch until 1926 and attended the South Fork of the Dearborn School. School was conducted during the spring and summer months, mostly due to severe winters. The family moved into Helena in 1926 and he attended Central School and graduated from high school in 1934.
Frank became interested in the developing field of aviation and when Red Morrison and Bill Fahner started and aviation program as part of the high school curriculum, he took all of their courses. These men were great inspirations in his life. The Boeing Company was interested in getting graduates of the Helena Aviation program, so in 1936 he and several other friends took jobs at Boeing in Seattle and he continued to be a resident of Seattle for the next 60 years. When WWII started, Frank joined the Army Transport Command in 1942. This was a program of Pan American and TWA Airways to provide air service to high ranking officers, even President Roosevelt, for flights to safe areas of the European Theatre.
He was an aviation mechanic and was stationed in Morocco and the Gold Coast, then at Preswick, Scotland, Geneva, Switzerland, and finally Paris, France until after the war’s end. He returned to Seattle and Boeing, and with help, built his home in Seattle. In 1954 he married Dorothy McNerney Reinig who passed away in 1994. They had many happy years traveling and making trips back to Montana for special holidays. Besides working for Boeing, Frank worked for the Volkswagen Company for several years.
He was also a lover of cars and traveled throughout the Northwest making contacts with agencies. After retirement, he decided he would like to go to college and received an Associate’s Degree in History at Shoreline Community College. He was a voracious reader and acquired a huge collection of books, which he eventually donated back to the college. His particular interest in ancient history led to him and his wife taking a trip to Greece and the surrounding areas.
He also had developed an interest in the Reinig family genealogy, and after his wife passed away, he and his brother Leonard, who was also a widower, contacted distant relatives in Germany and made a trip there to meet family and explored the country. Both brothers spoke a little German and it was a wonderful experience for both of them. Due to deteriorating health, he decided to return to Helena seven years ago to be closer to family. He resided at Eagles Manor where he acquired many new friends. He also went to water aerobics at the Broadwater with his sister regularly, and loved the exercise and the many friends he made there. He also enjoyed good music and attended many concerts with his sister.
His love of learning extended until his last days, including trips to Amherst, NY where he became interested in Secular Humanism and attended their lectures. Frank’s other passions included photography, travel, and skiing at Steven’s Pass outside of Seattle which he did until he was 80. He had slide shows of his travels and later years made regular visits to the southwest where he was fond of the parks and red rock country.
Frank is survived by his sister, Leoti June Waite; brother, Ray of Helena; niece, Debra Waite and husband Ron Laferriere and their daughters, Jessica, Jaclyn and Erica of Bozeman; nephew, Frank W. Reinig of Middlebury, VT; sister-in-law, Redamae Reinig of East Helena; nieces, Karen Reinig of East Helena and Jean (Larry) Harmon of Dutton; and nephew, Mike Reinig of Canyon Ferry. Cousins include Harry (Shirley) Reinig of Helena, Phil Reinig of New Mexico, Maribeth Clausen of California, Gary (Betty) Murphy of Wolf Creek and Joyce Hawkes of Bozeman.
He is preceded in death by his parents, wife Dorothy, brother Leonard and nephew Bill Reinig.
A memorial service will be held 1:30 p.m. Monday, April 11 at Covenant United Methodist Church 2330 Broadway Street. Memorials are suggested to the Masonic Home, 2010 Masonic Home Road, Helena, MT 59602, where he resided his last months; Covenant United Methodist Church, 2330 E Broadway St., Helena, MT 59601; or to a charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.aswfuneralhome.com.
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Betty Brewer says
Ray and family I am so sorry to hear of Frank’s passing. He was a great man and will be remembered by all. He was a very determined man and always gave life its all in anything that he ever did.
I got to know Frank while I was Manager of Eagles Manor and am honored to have known him and spent time gettng to know him.
Just know that I am praying for the whole family that God will give you peace and just know that you will always have Frank’s wonderful memories in your hearts.
God Bless you all
Betty Brewer
Kermit and Anne Rulon says
Frank was a friend at Broadwater and we enjoyed
visiting with him. We miss Him.