Robert Alan Rimbo

With the sure and certain hope that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:31-39), we announce the death of Robert Alan "Bob" Rimbo, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, former pastor, and former Lutheran bishop. Bob died March 4, 2026, at Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia, South Carolina, at the age of 75.

Bob was born July 6, 1950, in Joliet, Illinois, to George P. Rimbo and Beverly M. Rimbo (née Nichol). From an early age he knew he wanted to be a pastor. As children, Bob and his sister would "play church" with neighborhood children, Bob wearing makeshift vestments of his mother's black duster and a toilet paper stole. Music was another lifelong calling. At age five he astonished family friends by sitting down at their piano and playing the music he had heard in church earlier that morning.

Bob graduated from Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1972 and from Christ Seminary-Seminex in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1976. He served congregations in Michigan, New Jersey, and New York and held several roles in the wider church, including assistant to the bishop in the Southeast Michigan Synod. He later served as bishop of the Southeast Michigan Synod ELCA and bishop of the Metropolitan New York Synod ELCA.

Throughout his ministry Bob was widely respected for his commitment to the church's worship life and for strengthening the liturgical practice of congregations. He was a published author, including the book "Why Worship Matters" (Augsburg Publishing), and contributed to the development of the Lutheran hymnals "Lutheran Book of Worship" (1978) and "Evangelical Lutheran Worship" (2006). He frequently presented at the Institute of Liturgical Studies at Valparaiso University and served on numerous boards and organizations related to worship, music, and parish ministry.

Bob shared his life and ministry with his wife, Lois M. Rimbo (née Senechal), a devoted educator and reading specialist who shared his love of learning, music, and the life of the church.

Known for his wit, booming voice, and deep love of the church's worship, Bob encouraged generations of pastors, musicians, and congregations to approach liturgy with reverence, joy, and theological depth. Among family and friends he was also remembered for his musical humor, including his well-known piece, Reformation Rag.

Bob is survived by his wife, Lois; his children, Deborah Anne Rimbo and Justin Mark Rimbo; his beloved grandchildren, Owen and Zoe Rimbo; and his sister, Janice (John H.) Rizzo. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Richard Rimbo (Susan).

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 22, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Manhattan, New York. The service will be streamed at:
https://www.youtube.com/live/9Z50Lo18Nyg

Memorial gifts in honor of Bob may be made to the Robert Rimbo Memorial Fund at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, New York: https://tinyurl.com/rimbofund