Richard Reinke

Richard ("Dick") Owen Reinke, 72, passed away on November 14th, 2017 at home in Madison, WI. He was born on September 29th, 1945, to Frederick Reinke and Jeanne Owen Reinke. Dick grew up in Clintonville, WI, and graduated from Clintonville High School (Go Truckers!) in 1963. After high school he attended the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where he received a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. He continued his studies at the University of Wisconsin where he received a Master of Arts in English and then the University of Indiana where he received a Master of Science in Education. He began his teaching career at Madison LaFollette High School, where he met his future wife Martha "Marty" Volk in 1972. That year he also accepted a position at Sun Prairie High School where he taught English for over 25 years. Dick was a volunteer at the UW Arboretum Longenecker Gardens since 1975, an active member of the Clean Lakes Alliance, a political advocate, and a lifelong student, still taking classes at UW Madison this current semester. He was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church. He enjoyed reading, gardening, writing letters to the editor and public representatives, and composing poems satirical and otherwise on his countless subjects of interest. Dick is survived by his daughter Jennifer (Tim) Dreyer of Cambridge, WI; his nephews Brent (Bridget) Nimz and Karl (Sandy) Reinke; and nieces Brenda (Kevin) Wishau and Brooke (John) Rusfeldt, their children, and cherished friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his wife Martha Volk Reinke; his parents; brother William Reinke, sister Barbara Nimz, and nephew Brad Nimz.

A visitation will be held at Cress Funeral Service, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, from 10:00 a.m until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2017.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the UW Arboretum, the Clean Lakes Alliance and Wisconsin Public Radio.