URBANA - Richard Dean "Dick" Reinhold, 90, of Urbana passed away Tuesday (Sept. 9, 2025) at home with his family.
Richard was born on June 26, 1935, in Urbana, to William and Rosa (Hren) Reinhold.
He was preceded in death by his parents and all of his siblings, Katherine (Entler), Frederick, Walter, Edward, Robert, Gene and Sharon.
He is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Betty Jean (Johnson); daughter, Kelly (John) Vogel of Royal; son, Jeff (Brenda) Reinhold of Champaign; and beloved granddaughters, Sara (Devin) McDermand of Urbana and Megan Reinhold of Clinton. He also leaves behind many "kids" he loved as his own throughout the years, including Brian, Nicholas, Lauren, Rachel and Robin.
Graduating from Urbana High School in 1955, Richard was a standout wrestler and football player. He won three letters in football and two in wrestling. He was a two-time state qualifier in wrestling. As a junior, Richard was awarded the Pittman Memorial Football Award for outstanding linebacker of the year and was All-State on the Chicago Sun Times team as a senior offensive guard. He received a football scholarship to the University of Illinois and married his high school sweetheart, Betty, on Dec. 3, 1955. Due to continued military presence after the Korean War's armistice, he was not able to take the field with the Illini and instead served in the Army as an MP in Korea until 1959. In 1983, he was inducted into the Urbana High Sports Hall of Fame.
Richard was employed with Northern Illinois Water Corp for 42 years before retiring and also worked as the press-box elevator operator at gate 18 in Memorial Stadium, until its reconstruction in 2008. He never missed an Illini home game and enjoyed his time with the reporters and box owners.
Richard was a 50-year member of the St. Joseph Freemason Lodge No. 970 A.F. & A.M., a St. Joseph Webelos Pack Leader, and longtime coach of the Champaign Wild Cats pee-wee football team. He enjoyed fishing, camping, traveling, riding his bicycle, and truly lived each day to its fullest.
A memorial service with honors will be held at noon Thursday, Sept. 18, at Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 Philo Road, Urbana, with the Rev. Lutz Braunig officiating. Visitation will be prior to the memorial service, beginning at 10 a.m. Cremation rites have been accorded.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite children's charity.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/news-gazette/name/richard-reinhold-obituary?id=59412399
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