tstageI passed along the link to the discussion thread...to Randy's coworkers and asked that they share it with the family. They will do that. I hope in some small way that the words expressed here will be an encouragement to his family of how much Randy was appreciated for his generous spirit of time and knowledge for the purpose of helping others. Tom
You can also pass on your condolences directly to the family by making comments at the funeral home website.
https://www.beanfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Randy-Rinker
The funeral home is also offering an option to buy a tree in Randy's memory. A single tree is $29.99.
You can also make a donation to Randy's favourite railroading cause:
Reading Railroad Heritage Museum Technical and Historic Society 500 S. 3rd Street Hamburg, PA 19526.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
So sad to hear this, he will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
Scott
I just received another email from Randy's ex-coworker, who originally relayed the unfortunate information to me about Randy. Andy stated the following:
I passed along the link to the discussion thread...to Randy's coworkers and asked that they share it with the family. They will do that.
I hope in some small way that the words expressed here will be an encouragement to his family of how much Randy was appreciated for his generous spirit of time and knowledge for the purpose of helping others.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Upon coming in to the forum tonight and seeing my post having 50 replies, I knew it wasn't good news.
Condolences and prayers to the family he left behind .... way too young.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Wow, I'm so sorry to hear of Randy's passing. We both joined the "new" MR forum around the same time, and I have read hundreds if not thousands of his posts over the last 19 years. He always posted good information and this forum will be a much dimmer place without him. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
I already have a string of Reading piggybacks and hoppers, and the ACR has two Reading T-1's with the back story that ACR had the Reading build some for them. Randy and I often talked about our shared interest in that loco.
I think the trainroom might need a small memory board for those who have been lost.
Sheldon
MisterBeasleyI will be on the lookout for a Reading boxcar to keep on my layout on his honor.
LIKE that idea, MB.
And I just looked through my inventory spreadsheet and realized that I only have ONE Reading car in my rolling stock roster: A 52' 70-ton riveted drop-end gondola from Tangent that I picked up at the end of January this year. Yea, I'm going to get on eBay and see if I can't snag an appropriate-era Reading boxcar or hopper kit in Randy's honor.
[Update: Done. Just purchased a Bowser 55-ton fishbelly hopper: RDG 80618. Would have preferred a kit but there wasn't much available. It will become a special car and momento in my rolling stock.]
Randy was already a fixture here when I began my journey through DCC. His patient explanations, whether responding to a question by me or someone else, always helped and the knowledge stayed with me so I learned even when I wasn't expecting to. We will miss his guidance, but thanks to Randy the impenetrable wilderness of DCC is far less frightening and far more friendly.
I will be on the lookout for a Reading boxcar to keep on my layout on his honor.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
RR_MelHe will be missed by all model railroaders world wide.
Isn't that the truth, I wonder how many countries around the world his knowledge made a difference in. He was very active on many online forums and groups so he likely spanned the globe helping those of us that required it.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
I already miss Randy, he was my DCC/Arduino mentor. It’s terrible for one so young to leave us, my love and prayers are with his family. He will be missed by all model railroaders world wide.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Our loss of Randy is deeply felt. I have followed Randy's posts since becoming a member here and his information and guidance have added significantly to my efforts and enjoyment of this hobby. I'm 82 and I can feel the depth of the loss of one so young. Will he be added to the RIP TRACK soon?
Joe
I did not know Randy, but it always sad to read of the passing of 'a member of the team' and a well respected one too.
Condolences to his family.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
Very sad to read about Randy. I recall how good-natured and helpful his posts and replies were on the forum. I hope his relatives and everyone else are OK. Paul
"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".
I wasn't aware that he hadn't posted in some time, but when I saw it was three weeks.......... Didn't sound promising.
We have lost some giants these past few years. Who could forget Steinjr, or Wolfgang, or...no, it's too painful, and their numbers do not diminish, nor their impact, even with the passage of time.
Randy was one of my first supporters when I was struggling with DCC back in early 2006. Patiently, but factually and succinctly, he got me going and kept me propped up when I began to topple. When others needed help, he was at most a day away before he popped in and made it all clear. He took the time, time and time again.
30K posts should just about sum it up. Requiescat in pace, Randy.
Very Sad news. Randy was very generous with his time and was always willing to help anyone solve a DCC/electrical problem with his expertise. The forum will be quite different without him. Condolences to his family and friends.
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
Wow life is too darn short. Prayers for his family.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
peahrensI'm sorry to see this unwelcome news, especially losing someone at only 54 years of age. He will be missed here as well as by family and close friends.
Same age as me, and just starting his dream layout like I am.
This hits pretty hard.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
This is almost unbelievable.
Always thoughtful in his posts and replies and ready to help everyone. Such a great wealth of knowledge.
He will be greatly missed.
Scott Sonntag
Age 54. That's just not fair.
I am reminded of what was my grandmother's favorite poem. by Arabella Eugenia Smith, "If I Should Die Tonight." I won't reprint it here, it is easily found on the internet, but the gist of it is the writer is saying that if they died tonight people would remember and praise all the good things they'd done, forgive and forget the bad or unfortunate things, and would talk freely and openly about their feelings. The poem ends with a plea to do those things NOW while the person is still around.
Age 54. Man.
Dave Nelson
I'm sorry to see this unwelcome news, especially losing someone at only 54 years of age. He will be missed here as well as by family and close friends.
If you did not open the obit link above, note that a contribution in Randy's memory can be made:
"In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Reading Railroad Heritage Museum Technical and Historic Society 500 S. 3rd Street Hamburg, PA 19526 in memory of Randy Earl Rinker. Online condolences may be made to www.beanfuneralhomes.com"
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
hon30critterRandy was such a wonderful and supportive person.
And a gentleman.
Very shocking and sad news. He was truly one of the steady contributors to the forum, sharing his experience and advice on many topics, and generally enjoyed the conversation. He will be missed.
I enjoyed his series of layout build updates, as I remember being involved in some of the threads early when he first proposed the idea of building a new layout in his basement, and some of the challenges he had with the way the space was configured despite it being large.
54 is young. Reminds me that life can be a fragile thing. Appreciate each day as best you can, and take measures to take care of yourself as well. People will miss you.
- Douglas
Randy was appreciated globally.
He was in my thoughts some two weeks ago, when I had problems with new ESU Loksound 5 decoders that I installed in my LifeLike E9's. I was trying to slove this, and he came across my mind: "well, if I do not manage to solve this, I know who can - Randy".
He had immense knowledge, but also willingness and energy to share it.
Hrvoje
This is VERY sad news. I feel terrible for his loved ones and family. They should not have to part with such a kind soul at any age. 54 is too young!
On a personal note, I appreciate those who look out for other active members on this forum. This place provides a lot of camaraderie and engagement. Yes, we sometimes get in some pretty heated discussions, but I hope (read pray) that everyone brushes such issues aside.
I was shocked to stumble across this bad news this morning Rich. So sorry to hear it. Randy was a very likable guy. I definitely considered him a friend here on the forum.
I knew Randy through the years and talked to him at times here. He helped me as well with some things. I always enjoyed reading his posts. They could get rather lengthy at times but it was because he was sharing a lot of knowledge on the subject at hand.
Randy will be missed around here
My heart goes out to his family and friends.
John
Add me to the long list of MRs who was helped out by Randy. What a great asset to the Forum, and what a great and giving friend to all of us. I always figured him to be "older", and was supprised to read how young he really was.
My prayers and sympathy go out to his loved ones and friends..........
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
This is truly heartbreaking news for Randy's family, friends, and fellow forum members. My condolences to all. Randy was only 54 years old, way too soon to leave this life.
As, I recall, I believe that he moved to a new home within the last few years and was preparing an area for his dream layout. Randy wrote often of that dream layout, and he discussed his design and electronic controls for that layout. Now, his dream will go unfulfilled.
I consider Randy to be the most influential member of this forum. His replies on the Electronics and DCC forum could be found in nearly every thread. He always had the answer to every question, and he usually was the one to solve each and every problem. As I look back over his contributions to the forum, it pleases me that his last words on the forum were on my thread about lighting issues. He solved countless problems for me.
I never met Randy, but I felt that I knew him well. We PM'd back and forth on many issues including assistance to me on household wiring issues. He will be sorely missed on the forum. I hope that his name will eventually be found on THE RIP TRACK portion of the monthly Diner thread.
Rich
Alton Junction
SORRY TO HERE THIS. MAY HE REST IN PEACE. CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY.
tstage His participation, prowess, and helpful spirit will be sorely and greatly missed
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
I'm saddened to hear of his passing. Seems odd — that recently many of his YouTube videos have been showing up in my "suggested" page at YouTube quite often.
Adding to the irony, he was just getting started on his "dream" layout. Sometimes life just isn't fair.
My condolences go out to his family and friends.
Regards, Ed