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Anyone Know Randy Rinker? - UPDATE

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  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Elyria, OH
  • 2,586 posts
Posted by BRVRR on Thursday, April 22, 2021 10:27 PM

A sad day for Randy's family. My condolences to them.

A great loss to the Model Railroader community. You could always count on Randy for a clear answer to any DCC or electronics question.

I know he will be missed.

Sad

Tags: BRVRR

Remember its your railroad

Allan

  Track to the BRVRR Website:  http://www.brvrr.com/

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Posted by The Milwaukee Road Warrior on Thursday, April 22, 2021 9:33 PM

Oh my goodness this is awful.  Besides the obvious loss for his family, the loss of knowledge here is enormous.  May he rest in peace.

Andy

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Milwaukee native modeling the Milwaukee Road in 1950's Milwaukee.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/196857529@N03/

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  • From: Seabeck, WA
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Posted by blackpowder1956 on Thursday, April 22, 2021 9:30 PM

I was very sad to hear the news about Randy. I have always enjoyed his very informative posts. As a physician who is approaching 65 years of age, I am constantly reminded of friends, classmates, and relatives who are no longer here. This, to me, is a constant reminder to "live life in the moment, as if there were no tomorrow". RIP Randy! - Mike Johnson

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: NW Pa Snow-belt.
  • 2,216 posts
Posted by ricktrains4824 on Thursday, April 22, 2021 9:27 PM

Deepest condolences to Randy's friends and family.

Ricky W.

HO scale Proto-freelancer.

My Railroad rules:

1: It's my railroad, my rules.

2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.

3: Any objections, consult above rules.

  • Member since
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  • From: Maryland
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Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Thursday, April 22, 2021 9:26 PM

This is beyond a shock. I saw him several times with his modular group at the GSMTS in Timonium over the years.

I am deeply saddened by this loss, and his family will be in my prayers.

I also recently got word that a local modeler friend of mine has passed, someone with no presence on this forum. 

It has been a very sad year for this kind of news.

Randy will be missed by more people than he could ever have imagined.

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    February 2019
  • From: Sacramento, California
  • 98 posts
Posted by L. Zhou on Thursday, April 22, 2021 9:25 PM

My condolances to Randy's loved ones. He was a familiar face around the forum and was always ready to lend a hand. May he rest easy.

"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow." -Lin Yutang

-

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, April 22, 2021 9:23 PM

This is terrible news, and Randy will be missed. I hope he has found eternal peace.

He just passed the 30,000 post milestone.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    October 2010
  • 383 posts
Posted by Billwiz on Thursday, April 22, 2021 8:47 PM

Completely shocked and saddened by this news.  RIP Randy.  Prayers for his family and loved ones.  

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, April 22, 2021 8:43 PM

I'm in shock! Randy was such a wonderful and supportive person. I will dearly miss his frequent assistance with my layout.

My condolences to his family.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Thursday, April 22, 2021 8:34 PM

WOW! That is sad and sudden.  Thanks Tom.

Prayers to the family.

Mike.

  • Member since
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  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Thursday, April 22, 2021 8:31 PM

Wow. Thanks, Tom for letting us know. I have the rum out and will have a second for Randy. Thanks for all your help over the years, here's to ya.

Brent

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
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  • From: Wappingers Falls, NY / Troy, NY
  • 120 posts
Posted by N Scale Train Boy on Thursday, April 22, 2021 8:30 PM

May he rest in peace, and hopefully he is happily running trains and programming decoders for the rest of eternity.

Check out the Balfour and Colucci Creek Southern Railroad, my proto-freelanced N scale model railroad, at bccsrailroad.weebly.com or on Youtube on my channel, N Scale Train Boy.

-Dennis

Moderator
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Posted by tstage on Thursday, April 22, 2021 8:24 PM

It is with great sadness that I post this update about Randy:

https://www.beanfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Randy-Rinker

A former co-worker of Randy's emailed me just this evening with the sad news.  This is a great loss for our MR forum community, as Randy helped so many of us with his vast knowlege and expertise on DCC and electronics.  His participation, prowess, and helpful spirit will be sorely and greatly missed.  First and foremost, however, I am heartbroken for his family and friends for their loss. Sigh

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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    October 2010
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Posted by Billwiz on Thursday, April 22, 2021 5:41 PM

ricktrains4824
Add in me to those Randy has helped over the years.

 

I printed out one of his responses to a situation I had programming a decoder - it was easy to follow and helped me get multiple units running.

I'm checking with other organizations in our area that he is a member of.  

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2006
  • From: NW Pa Snow-belt.
  • 2,216 posts
Posted by ricktrains4824 on Thursday, April 22, 2021 5:25 PM

Add in me to those Randy has helped over the years.

Hope all is well.

Ricky W.

HO scale Proto-freelancer.

My Railroad rules:

1: It's my railroad, my rules.

2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.

3: Any objections, consult above rules.

  • Member since
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Thursday, April 22, 2021 5:18 PM

Randy has been a fantastic asset in this and other forums.  Unfortunately most of us are at an age where stuff happens, with or without covid.  I hope he returns soon.

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Thursday, April 22, 2021 4:17 PM

Randy has helped me a tremendous amount since I returned to the hobby fifteen years ago and joined this forum. I hope all is okay for him.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Thursday, April 22, 2021 2:39 PM

I really hope all is well. Randy knows his stuff, and his posts are informative and accurate. He is a real asset to this community.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    October 2010
  • 383 posts
Posted by Billwiz on Thursday, April 22, 2021 1:15 PM

I sent him an email this morning, but no response.

 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
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Posted by richhotrain on Thursday, April 22, 2021 5:16 AM

Yeah, I have been wondering about him as well. I have particularly noticed his absence on the Electronics forum. Whenever I post an issue or question about Electronics, I sit back and wait for Randy to respond. Hope all is well with him.

Rich

Alton Junction

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    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
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Posted by hon30critter on Thursday, April 22, 2021 3:04 AM

I really hope that Randy is okay. He has been such a great help to me for my layout build that I'll have to put a plaque on it to recognize his input.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 11:41 PM

Mark,

I had started to take notice of Randy (rrinker)'s absence here on the forum last week.  I think the last time he posted was 3/27.  I do hope things are well with him.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Ontario Canada
  • 3,574 posts
Anyone Know Randy Rinker? - UPDATE
Posted by Mark R. on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 10:09 PM

Randy is quite popular in the DCC forum having posted nearly every day for a long time.  I took note today that he hasn't been around for over three weeks now. There is also no activity anywhere else he frequents. Messages to him on Facebook go unanswered as well.

Just curious if anyone knows him personally and if he is alright.

Mark.

[Edit: Update can be found here - Tom/User mod]

¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ

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