Richard K. Leinert

1949 - 2016

Richard K. Leinert, 66, of Mystic Conn., passed away at home on Friday, June 17, 2016, from heart disease. He was predeceased by his parents; his Rottweilers, Max and Elfie; and his cat, Louie.
Rich was born Oct. 14, 1949, in Hartford, the only child to Bruno and Astrid Leinert. He was proud of his German heritage. He told stories of dressing up in lederhosen and playing the accordion to entertain his parent's German friends as a young child. He was the original "surfer dude" spending every summer at The Dunes Beach in Westerly. He surfed, sailed, and water skied, always on or in the water. After high school he enlisted and served his country proudly as a mechanic in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era. He returned to Westerly after his discharge and worked at United Builders Supply as a boom crane operator. During this time, he met his future wife, Cathy. They married in Oct. of 1984 and established their home in Westerly, then moved to Mystic. Rich worked for Cherenzia and Assoc., as a land surveyor. Rich joined Cathy in her favorite sport of horseback riding. He bought a horse and competed in horse shows and hunter paces on Celtic Supreme. He owned and operated Emerald Isle Stable in Ledyard. Rich was an automobile aficionado, and could be seen driving his collection of Saabs, BMWs, and his favorite Porsches. They enjoyed adventures skiing and traveling, especially to Mexico where they bought a condo where they intended to retire.When Rich and Cathy parted ways, their divorce was amicable. They remained good friends for the next 30 plus years and saw each other and spoke often.
Rich loved the water and took up residency on the two story houseboat on the Mystic River, across from the Daniel Packer Inn. Every year he invited friends to the houseboat to watch the boat parades and to grade each boat as it passed with number scores on paper plates. This was typical of his great sense of fun and humor. Rich loved animals, always helping strays like Blackie, the homeless cat, who came to the houseboat daily for supper and shelter from the cold or Louie the cat, he rescued with a fish hook stuck in his mouth. He helped at the Groton Pound, donating time and items for the cats, and continued to help his ex-wife, Cathy with regular donations of food for her Rottweiler Rescue. He was a lifelong fan of drag racing and more recently took up golf and kayaking. He was most at peace while kayaking on the Mystic River.
Rich was proud to be a friend of Bill W. for the past 11 1/2 years. He was devoted to his daily behind the scenes service to AA where he had many friends who will miss him dearly. He was loved for his kindness and compassion for others, and his ability to make everyone laugh and feel comfortable.
Rich was most recently employed at Noank Marine Service. He was highly regarded in the Mystic area as a talented boat painter. He contributed to the restoration of many beautiful wooden boats and was proud to point them out.
Several years ago, he battled cancer and beat it, but his extensive medical bills wiped him out financially and left him penniless. We have established a GO FUND ME (Richard K Leinert Cremation Fund ) to help pay for his cremation and expenses. He would also be pleased to be remembered with a donation to the Groton Animal Foundation for his love of stray cats, and to his ex-wife, Cathy's Rottweiler Rescue Rehab & Sanctuary, in memory of his dogs.
Rich will be cremated according to his wishes and a celebration of his life is planned for July.
Friends may leave condolences on the FB page of Cathy Leinert Whitehead under his post. Rich, we all miss you.