Richard (aka Dick) Rinck died on November 7, 2023, 15 days shy of his 94th birthday. He was the last of his generation of his family, as his father and mother (Gustave and Grace Boerman), older brother William, sister Grace Marie Smith, and twin brother Robert (Bob) all have predeceased him. In addition, his first wife and mother of his children, Ann Louise Weening Rinck, and his second wife, Suzanne McCune, also have died, leaving behind his sons James (Debra Dominiak), Thomas, and daughter, Mary (Brian) Evers. His grandchildren are Abraham and Levi Rinck, Andrew (Clara) Evers, and Charlotte Elliott, who is the mother of his one great grandson, Sebastian Elliott. Dick and Bob were born just after the stock market crash of 1929, and while their father always had work during the Great Depression, it was a fundamental influence on their childhoods and on their adult lives. Dick attended local schools and graduated from Christian High School in 1948. Later, like his brothers, he was in the military; he served in the Army in the Korean Conflict, but because he was the only member of his platoon who could type, he became company clerk and thus was not on the front lines. After his hitch ended, he returned to Grand Rapids, graduated from Calvin College in 1954 after majoring in Education, and started his career by teaching at Huff School. He married Ann during December of 1955. After two years, he became principal and remained at Huff for 27 years. He was most proud of starting the concept of Science Camping for the 6th graders there, and the idea spread to many other schools. And when Huff School became integrated due to the purchase of land by Black community leaders in the district, he worked diligently to make that transition a success and acknowledged how much he had learned about all people in the process. While at Huff, he also was Principal at Burr Oak Elementary for several years, and after Huff, he served at Alger and (finally) East Leonard Elementary Schools, totaling 41 years in the Huff and Grand Rapids Districts. In addition, he was active in the Michigan Association of Elementary School Principals, where he served multiple years as an officer, including terms both as President and as National Representative for Michigan to the national principals group. Between his tenure, his son Jim's service on the GR School Board, and Abe and Levi's graduations from City High School, a Rinck was involved with the Grand Rapids Public Schools for over 50 years. And he remained involved with East Leonard School even after his retirement. He then also increased his civic involvement, including his membership in the Golden Kiwanis. In addition, he continued his active membership and involvement at Westminster Presbyterian Church (he had previously been a consistory member at the now defunct Aberdeen Reformed Church for many years). After Ann's death in 2004, he married Suzanne in 2007 and was with her until her death in 2021. Determination may have been his defining trait: he continued to endure after falls and injuries that should have ended his life, only to finally succumb to the effects of one last fall which only ended his life when he let go of it. He leaves behind not only his family, but literally thousands of students whom he did his best to educate and help. To assist in his leave taking, visitation with his family will take place at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel (2800 Burton St. S.E.),on Friday, November 17th, from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. He will be available for additional visitation at 10 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church (47 Jefferson, S.E.). on November 18, 2023, with his memorial service to begin at 11 a.m., under the direction of the Rev. Lynette Sparks. If you cannot attend, you can livestream the service at https://youtube.com/live/ooRvolOPT44?feature=share. A luncheon, complete with birthday cake to celebrate his 94th birthday, will occur thereafter, following which his burial will take place at the Plainfield Township Cemetery at 6205 Packer Drive N.E. in Belmont. All friends of Dick (or any other Rincks, for that matter) are welcome. In lieu of flowers, if you are inclined to make a contribution in his name, please consider the Grand Rapids Public Schools Foundation (P.O. Box 2225, Grand Rapids, MI 49501). After all, those kids at East Leonard (and the other schools) still need our support especially now that Dick has left us.