Wayne Reinholt
June 4, 1922 - November 13, 2011

Memories of Wayne run rampant through the minds of those who loved him.

His cherished smile was always present. He was always ready to lend a needed ear and listened intently.  He would always celebrate your achievements and successes.  He was caring and gave generously.  A great man who leaves a great legacy as a gift to those he loved.

Wayne served as a Navy Lieutenant flying blimps during World War II. He took pride in this achievement and had a special affinity for blimps. After World War II he married Mary Jane Rauch from Anacortes and attended the University of Washington on the GI Bill, graduating with a degree in International Business. He went to work for the JC Penney Co after graduation for the next 34 years.  During this time he was transferred from Seattle, WA to San Francisco, CA to Honolulu, HI and back to Tacoma, WA. He retired from the JC Penney Co in 1985, first moving to Seattle WA. then building a new home in Burlington WA., then finally moving permanently to Guemes Island.

Visualize Wayne sitting in his chair anticipating the arrival of the first hummingbird of the season and the delight when they arrived at his feeders. The hummingbirds will be back and Wayne will be missed. He enjoyed good food, good wine and good friends, and he could tell the difference.

Often when he walked to the mailbox he would be greeted with  "Hi, Mr. Reinholt " by the younger kids in the neighborhood. He always was amazed at how much they'd grown and would respond with disbelief when they told him who they were.

He worked the crossword puzzles almost daily and enjoyed a good game of Scrabble whenever possible.

Golf was a favorite for him. His golfing buddies kept scheduling golf games  after he lost his wife Mary Jane.

Wayne loved the water, the beach, fishing and, of course, catching the “big one”.  He was a self appointed monitor of North Beach, making sure that interlopers filled their clam digging holes after clamming.

Winter on Guemes can be long and dark, and power outages occur often. One winter he stayed in town, but took the ferry back to Guemes two or three times a week.

He was always handy around the house, able to fix or repair what was needed.  He passed this talent on to his sons.

The beach house on Guemes was a special place for the Reinholt Family with visits, often, from his children Teresa and her husband Daryl Wainman, John and his wife Tracey and Pat, along with his five grandchildren Eli, Ethan, Mari-Frances, Hanna, Healy and his great grandchild Peyton Jane. Wayne with the help from friends and family built the beach house on Guemes Island in 1963. The refrigerator was always stocked, and even after he became a widower there were always flower on the table, a holdover from his wife.

An old dog, Sucia, came to keep him company for awhile and a cat. The cat had seniority and Sucia  didn't stay that long. The company suited them both during some lonely times.

The consummate father figure for nieces, nephews and many others, Wayne always gave sound, sage common sense advice. His home was always open to those who sought his comfort. He was referred to as Pop or Papa, the crowning complement for a man admired and well loved by so many. He will be missed.