Robert Rinker

Robert Frederick Rinker, 87, of Lyman, Nebraska, died Saturday, December 10, 2022, at his home surrounded by his loving family.  A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., with viewing prior from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Monday, December 19, 2022, at Reverence Funeral Parlor in Scottsbluff.  Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery near Morrill.  The Nebraska Army National Guard and Gering American Legion Post 36 Honor Guard will provide military funeral honors. Memorials may be made in care of the family and will be designated at a later date.  The service will be livestreamed and recorded to Robert’s obituary page viewable at www.reverencefuneralparlor.com.

Robert was born April 18, 1935, in Chadron, Nebraska, to Fred and Ellen (Snyder) Rinker.  He graduated from Chadron High School and went on to attend college in Denver, Colorado.  Robert served in the United States Armed Services during which time was deployed overseas to Germany and was a member of the C. Company 18th Engineer Battalion.

He married and had five children with Lillie (Echols) Vasconcellos and later became a father to five more children after remarrying to Maria (Barron-Berrelleza) Rinker.

Robert began his career with the railroad services as a young man. He was hired on as track labor for Chicago Northwestern before moving up in positions and retiring as a conductor for Union Pacific.

Robert had a love for singing and performing at an early age. He shared many memories of performing at venues and later performing for his children and grandchildren. He was rarely seen without his guitar and singing a tune. Robert enjoyed being outdoors and was often with his children fishing, camping, RV-ing, and boating. Robert also liked drinking a good cup of coffee, snacking on candy and sweets, watching westerns, and traveling. He was an avid snowbird and delighted in spending his winters in Mexico.

Survivors include his wife, Maria Rinker; children, Barbara Fann, Diana (Ron) Gappa, Ruthie (Scott) Olson, Selene (Evaristo) Torres, Eva Herrera, Octavio F. Barron (Sarai), Fernando (Elisha) Barron, and Carmen Barron (Brandon); grandchildren, Robert (Desiree) Fann, Aleksander Fann, Melissa (John) Smithson, Raylene (Brendan) Anderson, Matthew (Laura) Reichardt, Caitlan Gappa, Caleb (Kara) Gappa, Aaron (Alyson) Olson, Tracie (Joey) Beraldi, Jeremy (Melissa) Rinker, Jaime Martin, Jesse (Lynda) Rinker, Evaristo Torres IV, Ellen (Enrique) Guzman, Eric Torres, AB Herrera (Aiyana), LE (April) Herrera, Octavio I. (Gabby), Abel (Jenaya), Gabriel and Blanca Barron, Cecilia, Olivia, Vicente and Sofia Barron, Sariyah (Libier) and Jessalyn Rodriguez; great grandchildren, Ellyanna, Edalynne, and Elyan Torres-Cruz, Azari Barron, Bear and Kathy Fann, Micah, Amani Overton-Grimes, India, Nadia, Jaida, and McKenna Fann, Lakota and Aria Smithson, Tristan and Akira Fann, Ellis and Holly Reichardt, Wels Gappa, Seth and Kaylee Olson, Layla Rinker, Samantha Romero, Damien Braun, Malichi, X’Zandrea, and Jesse J Rinker; cousins, Bill Snyder, Goldie Sommerville, and Cynthia Forde Beatty; sister in law, Marlene Rinker;  and beloved fur baby, Rocky.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Ellen (Snyder) Rinker; siblings, Richard Rinker and Genevieve Cunningham; children, Richard Rinker and Robert F. Rinker Jr.; grandchildren, Selene and Angel Torres-Cruz, Valerie and Ryan Olson; along with numerous other loved ones.