July 13, 2017
Dear Gulf Coast Synod Leaders,
In the hope of the resurrection, we grieve the death of Pastor Warren Rinehart, Bishop Mike's father. 

Warren Rinehart of Leander, Texas died peacefully on July 8, 2017 at St. David's Hospital in Georgetown, Texas, surrounded by family.

Warren was born to Howard W. Rinehart and Claire Elizabeth Rinehart on June 12, 1933. He is a graduate of Capital University, where he met his wife Patricia. In 1962, he graduated from Trinity Lutheran Seminary (formerly Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary) in Columbus, Ohio.

Warren was ordained on April 29, 1962 at Martin Luther in Canton, Ohio. He went on to serve his first call at St. Peter's in Edon, Ohio. In 1964, he was called by the Board of Missions of the American Lutheran Church to plant a congregation in Grand Blanc, Michigan. He stayed at Holy Spirit Lutheran for 33 years. 
 
After retiring in 1997, he moved to Leander, Texas and served as an interim pastor for congregations in all three Texas synods for over ten years. Among those congregations were: St. Paul in La Grange, Elizabeth in Caldwell, Our Saviour's in College Station, First in Waco, Faith in Weimar, Immanuel in Pflugerville, Palm Valley in Round Rock, and Hope in Buckholts. 
 
He loved ministry, family, gardening, cooking, music, football, and cars. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patricia Rinehart, his children Michael and spouse Susan, Paul and spouse Karen, and Katie, and his seven grandchildren John, Nicolas, Gregory, Abbey, Sarah, Heidi, and Yuliana. 

Arrangements
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 27 at 1:00 pm at Triumphant Love Lutheran in Austin. A reception will follow. 

In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to give to the Rinehart Memorial Fund. Gifts will be split among several charities that include Alzheimer's research and Triumphant Love Lutheran. Checks can be made to Triumphant Love Lutheran, c/o Rinehart Memorial, or you may donate online
Please remember Warren's family in your prayers. May they be comforted in this time of grief with hope and promise of new life we have in the Lord. 

Sincerely,

Pastor Chris Markert