Arthur Raymond Rinke's Obituary
LCDR Arthur Raymond Rinke went home to be with his Lord and Saviour on the morning of
Sunday, November 12, 2023.
Arthur was born on February 13, 1926, in Mt. Vernon, NY, and was adopted by his parents,
George and Edna Rinke. He also had an adopted sister, Janet, and their family lived in Old
Greenwich, Connecticut.
After graduating from The Hill School, Arthur attended the United States Merchant Marine
Academy, receiving his B.S. in Marine Engineering in 1947. From there he went on to the
University of Connecticut and obtained his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1954.
In 1944 Arthur joined the U.S. Naval Reserves and served as active duty aboard the submarine
USS Chopper (ss342) from 1951 to 1953. He retired from the Naval Reserves with the rank of
Lieutenant Commander in 1967. During his time of service, he was the recipient of the Naval
Reserve medal along with various combat zone medals.
During his time in Connecticut, he met his first love, Ann Centuscudi Rinke, who lovingly called
him Rickets. They married in 1948 and had three children, William Rinke, Wava Rinke Frey, and
George Rinke II. They remained married until Ann’s passing in 1977.
He met his second love, Voncile Stewart Rinke and they married in 1978. He became the
stepfather to her four grown children, Robert Stewart, Sharon Guadagna, Ronald Stewart, and
Cheryl Moorhouse. They remained married until Voncile’s passing in 2011.
In 1979 he became a grandfather for the first time and proceeded to have a total of 18
grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren and was lovingly given the name of Papa.
His time in the Merchant Marines and the Naval Reserves led him to a long career as a
mechanical engineer. He worked on many buildings in and around the Tampa Bay and Central
Florida areas.
After he retired in 1986 he continued his lifelong hobby of model trains, enjoying jazz music, and
being a loving husband, father, and grandfather to his family. He always enjoyed a good meal,
conversations with loved ones, photography, and a good movie.
If there was one thing he would want you to know about is that he loved the Lord with his whole
heart. Arthur came to know the Lord as his Saviour in the mid 70’s. He loved supporting his
church, Starkey Road Baptist Church as well as many missionaries who he and Voncile
considered extended family.
Arthur is preceded in death by his parents, George and Edna Rinke, sister Janet Roach, wife
Ann C. Rinke, wife Voncile S. Rinke, and stepdaughter Sharon Guadagna. He is survived by his
three children, William Rinke, Wava Frey, and George Rinke II, his three stepchildren, Robert
Stewart, Ronald Stewart, and Cheryl Moorhouse, his 18 grandchildren, and 22
great-grandchildren.
He will be loved and missed by all who knew him, but none more than his family. While they will
mourn him not being here on Earth, they rest in the fact they know he is with his heavenly
Father and will see him again one day.
Until then, fair winds, following seas.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 pm on Monday, November 20 at Memorial Park Funeral
Home, 5750 49th St N, St. Petersburg followed by interment at Memorial Park Cemetery with
military honors. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral. In lieu of flowers, please
make donations to Empath Suncoast Hospice Foundation in his memory.
What’s your fondest memory of Arthur?
What’s a lesson you learned from Arthur?
Share a story where Arthur's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Arthur you’ll never forget.
How did Arthur make you smile?
