Reverend Dr. Donald R. Rinehart

The Reverend Dr. Donald R. Rinehart

ASHLAND: The Reverend Dr. Donald R. Rinehart, 78, of Ashland, Ohio passed away at The Ohio State University Medical Center, on January 24, 2016, surrounded by his family.

Don is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Janet (Klingensmith) Rinehart; his three children, Melissa Hoffman of York, Maine, Melinda Ward of Ashland, Ohio and Todd Rinehart of Cincinnati, Ohio; his nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Lester Rinehart of Mount Gilead, OH.

Don was born on October 11, 1937 in Johnsville, OH to Lydia and Glen Rinehart, the youngest of four children. He is survived by his brother, Dr. Carroll Rinehart of Tucson, AZ; and his sister, Marilyn Rhodebeck of Mt. Gilead, OH.

He attended Ashland College, graduating with a degree in education in 1959. After marrying his wife Jan, the two moved to Tucson where Don earned a Masters in Education from the University of Arizona. He then returned to Ashland to attend seminary, where he earned a Masters in Theology and a Doctorate in Ministry. Don pastored the Brethren Church at Smithville, Ohio for four years before returning to his other true love, Ashland University, to teach in the religion department for 45 years. He also served as Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities for eight years. Dr. Rinehart directed the Giving Institute from 1985-1987. He used his sabbatical in 1997 to travel to Israel, where he developed a course on biblical geography and led students on two summer study abroad programs. He later developed and directed the Germany Study Abroad program from 2005-2009, a program that encouraged diversity and international relations. During his tenure at AU, he concurrently pastored The First Congregational Church at Lexington, OH for 24 years.

Above all, Don loved the Lord, Jesus Christ, and his greatest passion was in the service of God and the church. He was absolutely devoted to Ashland University, dedicating his life to the service of the students, the religion department, and the athletics teams. He loved sharing the Gospel Story with his students in his Bible courses and he loved cheering on the University Football and Basketball teams, where his passion often extended to helping the officials make the right call. He earned the Board of Trustees Mentor Award four times, and was nominated for Faculty Member of the Year numerous times. The Office of Leadership Development and Center for Community Service named the Dr. Donald Rinehart Honor and Integrity Award in his honor. He received the Eagle Forever Award as part of the Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2004, he and Jan were awarded the Alumni Association's Dr. Glenn L Clayton Award. The students of Ashland University returned Dr. Rinehart's devotion by asking him to officiate at numerous weddings—a job that he loved doing. He retired from the University in 2007, but continued to be actively involved by continuing to teach the "Exploring The Bible" classes and mentoring students.

Calling Hours are from 3-8 on Wednesday, January 27th at the Myers Convocation Center, 820 Claremont Ave, on the Ashland University campus. A service in celebration of the Reverend Dr. Donald R. Rinehart's life is scheduled for 4 pm on Thursday, January 28th in the Jack and Deb Miller Chapel, 456 College Ave in Ashland. Prior to the service there will be Calling Hours from 2-4 in the Chapel. Interment will be private in the Ashland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Donald and Janet Rinehart International Studies Endowment Fund (which provides scholarships enabling students or faculty to travel and study abroad) or The Rinehart Center for Religious Studies Endowment Fund, Ashland University Development Office, 401 College Avenue, Ashland Ohio 4480 or to Park Street Brethren Church, 619 Park Street, Ashland, Ohio 44805.

For those who may not be able to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home's website at denbowfh.com.

Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home is honored to be handling the arrangements for Dr. Donald R. Rinehart.