Ronald Lee Reinhart, 75, of Pittsburg, Kansas died Sept. 23, 2024, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital at St. Louis, Missouri.
Mr. Reinhart was born Aug. 8, 1949, at Pittsburg, Kansas, the son of Marvin Wayne and Paula Maxine Howard Reinhart. Ron worked at Eagle Picher and lived in Crawford County most of his life. He attended Mulberry Schools until his senior year and graduated from Northeast High School. After his service in the US Navy, he attended and graduated from Ft. Scott Junior College. He spent 10 years in the Navy as a Radioman. His service included serving on Commander Amphibious Squadron 3 Staff deployed to Vietnam, selected to be on the communications team on the USS Iwo Jima (LPH2) to handle communications transmissions sent out by news reporters onboard as they covered the re-entry and landing of Apollo 13. He also served on YR-71 a Yard Repair vessel which provided support for small craft patrolling on the Mekong in Vietnam. Ron had shore duty at the Naval Communication Station in Adak, Alaska and Naval Communications Station in Cheltenham, Maryland. In his US Navy service, he earned the National Defense Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, two Good Conduct Medals, and Meritorious Unit Citation. Ron is survived by his brother, Marvin Reinhart of Florida and his niece Jennifer and his nephew Jason who both thought highly of their Uncle Ron. He always kept Jen and Jason laughing.
Ron was cremated according to his wishes. Graveside services for the cremains will be at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, at the Ft. Scott National Cemetery with the Rev. Steve Cole officiating. The Navy Burial Detail will conduct graveside flag folding services. Arrangements are under the direction of the Bedene Funeral Home, 517 E. Washington, Box 621, Arma, Kansas 66712.
