Page created by: Paul Reinking

Richard Reinking, compassionate, generous, and loving family man.

Dr. Richard Harrison Reinking passed away on December 19, 2020, at his home in Woodinville with his family by his side. We have lost a wonderful father, husband, brother, and grandfather after his lengthy battle with Parkinson’s. He lived a full life which was spent mostly on the Eastside of Seattle He was born in Seattle in 1944 to Frances and Walter Reinking. In his younger years, he moved many times from the Seattle area throughout central and southern California. In the summers you’d find him at the family cabins near Suquamish (Nooschkum) or Orcas Island. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1962 where he was an excellent student and athlete in football, basketball, and track.

After graduation, he attended the University of Washington. He joined Phi Delta Theta and was an outstanding student-athlete. Scholastically, he was invited to join the Oval Club and Purple Shield. During track season, he ran the 100, 400, and anchored the 400 relays. Dick received varsity letters all 4 years and ended his collegiate track career as the team captain. His goal of continuing a promising track career was cut short due to a knee injury. However, he earned his track nickname ‘Cheetah’ and cherished his time at Montlake.

Upon UW graduation in 1968, he was accepted to the PhD Psychology program at the University of Kansas. He Married Janice Rae Keizer on August 26, 1967, in Tacoma WA. Their time in Kansas started their life long involvement with horses. After receiving his doctoral degree, he was an assistant professor at Washington State University for a short while.

He moved his family back to Seattle in 1975. He lived in Seattle and worked at Harborview Hospital. Shortly thereafter, he opened his private practice in Bellevue. He practiced clinical psychology for nearly 35 years. Dick had many ideas of what he wanted to do with his life from a young age such as a minister or educator but psychology was his passion. The well-being of his patients was very important to him. When he wasn’t at the office he often came home and made patient calls after dinner. Between seeing patients, he enjoyed his daily basketball game and workouts at the Bellevue Athletic Club.

He was married for 53 years to his beloved wife Jan. They had one son, Paul. Together they loved the outdoors and their community. At their home in Woodinville, they enjoyed their horses and Dick loved to garden. As a family, they enjoyed hiking, skiing, horseback riding, and traveling together. He believed family was the most important thing. Each day he came home and opened the door with a ‘Hello’ and a smile like he hadn’t been affected by anything at the office that day. He’d play catch or shoot hoops with his son and catch up with Jan before helping to make dinner. In his later years, he enjoyed spending time with his granddaughters and watching them do their activities like cross country, track, softball, and gymnastics. He also enjoyed traveling and going out to restaurants with Paul, Heather, and his grandkids. He was the rock upon which our family was built. He made us all feel loved.

Family quotes…My brother Dick and I shared many good times together growing up and many more great father/son times as adults and fathers to our two sons, Paul and Chris. Rose Bowl trips (Dick & I were “big butt basketball” champs), river rafting trips, ski trips, and the annual “Boy’s Hike” were regular and cherished times with Dick and our boys. One of my best memories was during college when we took a summer off and traveled Europe together on motor scooters. Dick crashed his scooter on day one, got it fixed after a few weeks and proceeded to crash again the very next day! We survived, Dick got MUCH better at handling his scooter and we had a great trip and time together. Cherished memories always. Dick was and is a gentle soul, really good athlete, and a devoted family man. I miss you Brother! With Love, Bob

Dick is survived by his wife Jan, son Paul; daughter-in-law Heather; grandchildren Hayden & Addison; his siblings Bob, Jim, Jeff, Dan, and Helen; Sister-in-law Linda Carpenter & Caryl Oros and Brother-in-law Mike Oros. He is preceded (in death) by his sister, Ann.