Richard Paul Rehling

Richard Paul Rehling, of Leesburg VA, left this earth suddenly and far too soon on Saturday, June 26. Rick was born in Cincinnati, OH, to Richard A. and Lucille A. Rehling and moved to Wheaton MD at the age of 10. Rick maintained close ties to his birth city, making frequent visits to the aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who lived there.

Rick made lifelong friends in his new neighborhood, at St. Jude’s elementary school, Good Counsel High School, and the University of Maryland where he majored in business. He had a long and successful career in reprographic equipment sales. He and his beloved wife Linda both recently retired and were enjoying this new phase of life together.

All his life, Rick was fascinated by anything that had a motor – trains, cars, motorcycles, boats. He created and maintained his own large and intricate model train layout, much to the delight of visitors young and old. He disassembled, rebuilt, and restored several cars over the years, somehow always ending up with leftover parts. He loved riding the motorcycles that he never wanted his mother to know he owned and went on many sailing trips with his uncle and godfather, the Rev. Paul Rehling.

Rick could – and would – fix or duct tape anything, anytime, anywhere for anybody. A true servant of God, he quietly lived his life caring deeply for his family and friends, ministering to all in many ways. He was devoted to his wife, his sister Maura, and his extended family; kind and helpful to all his neighbors; loyal and loving to his friends from childhood, grade school, and high school; ready to play tour guide on a moment’s notice when family or friends visited the DC area. Rick was sentimental about family heirlooms and mementos – his house is a bit of a museum – and passionate about researching both paternal and maternal family history and genealogy. He could be counted on to show up for all events and celebrations, travelling readily and happily across the country for any family milestone or occasion. Generous to a fault, he always left at least one cheese ball in the can, one cookie on the plate.

In addition to Linda and Maura, Rick is survived by his brother-in-law Bryan Long, sisters-in-law Joyce Freese and Rafaela Radcke (Martin, nephew Vincent), father-in-law David J. Speck (Joyce), and niece Christie Kusmierek and her sons Carter and Owen, along with loving aunts and an uncle, many cousins, and countless friends. Visitation will take place on July 7 from 6pm - 8pm at the Colonial Funeral Home, 201 Edwards Ferry Road NE, Leesburg, VA. Mass of Christian Burial is July 8 at 11am at St. Francis de Sales, 37730 St. Francis Court, Purcellville, VA, followed by interment at Ketoctin Church Cemetery, 16595 Ketoctin Church Road, Purcellville, VA.

In Rick’s honor, do something kind for someone today.

Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Rick Rehling to Loudon Hunger Relief, 750 Miller Dr. SE a1, Leesburg, VA 20175.