Gary Lee Rheinschmidt
Born: July 19th, 1948
Died: January 17th, 2017
Obituary
Mr. Gary Lee Rheinschmidt, 68, of Burlington passed away at 1:22 p.m. Tuesday, January 17, 2017, at Great River Hospice House, West Burlington, Iowa after battling lung cancer and Pulmonary RA.
Born July 19, 1948 in Burlington, he was the son of Paul William and Ruby Lillian (Schulte) Rheinschmidt and graduated Burlington High School.
On May 14, 1972, he married Debra Mellinger in Burlington, Iowa and they later divorced.
Mr. Rheinschmidt was a Vietnam War veteran, serving in the United States Air Force at U-Tapao Royal Airfield in Thailand as an aircraft electrician and flew two missions into Vietnam to recover downed aircraft. He was awarded the Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Vietnam Service Medal with 1 Bronze Service Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Small Arms Expert Marksman Ribbon.
Mr. Rheinschmidt worked for the family business installing flooring during his teen years. After returning from the military, he started his own business Rheinschmidt Lumber. He also designed and built furniture for Chittenden Eastman Company and J.C. Penney Company under the name Starr Manufacturing. He closed these businesses to go into partnership with his father at Burlington Linoleum and Tile Company, and eventually became the CEO and owner. He sold out and retired in 1999 due to health problems. He then worked part time for C.S. I. Industries as Maintenance Supervisor, overseeing repair and upkeep of all equipment and buildings, until his health failed a year ago.
Survivors include one daughter, Gina (David) Maupin; three grandsons, Cole, Quinton, and Gavin of Mediapolis, Iowa; two sisters, Sheila (Stephen) Zager of Burlington and LuAnn (Dennis) Vokolek of San Antonio, Texas; a brother, Scott Paul (Bonnie) Rheinschmidt; and a number of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
There will be no services for Mr. Rheinschmidt at this time. He requested his body be donated for medical research to Des Moines University Medical School in Des Moines, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, Mr. Rheinschmidt requested any memorial donations be sent to the
Wounded Warrior Project, Inc. or Great River Hospice.
Lunning Chapel is in care of arrangements.