Leonard H. Reinke

Leonard H. Reinke, FAIA, age 96, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, passed away unexpectedly at his home, Wednesday evening, June 3, 2015. Leonard was born June 25, 1918 in Oshkosh, the son of Leonard G. Reinke and Helen (Diestler) Reinke and was a lifelong resident of Oshkosh. Leonard and his wife, Lucille, celebrated seventy-two years of marriage on November 14, 2014. Leonard graduated from the Illinois Institute of Technology (formerly Armour Institute of Technology) with degrees and highest honors in Architecture. He was one of the first students of legendary Bauhaus architect, Mies von der Rohe.In World War II, he was a member of the ORS (Operational Research Section) attached to the 9th Bombardment Division and served in the European Theater from June 1944 until after the war in 1945.In 1950, he and Theodore H. Irion formed the architectural firm, Irion and Reinke. The firm designed in the Mid-Century Modern and International Style of Architecture. The Firms body of work includes churches, university buildings, homes and public buildings in Oshkosh and throughout the state including Evergreen Manor, Bethel Home, William Steiger Wing of the Oshkosh Public Museum, renovations at the Paine, several buildings at UW-Stevens Point, as well as the award winning Polk Library at UW-Oshkosh.In 1979, the American Institute of Architects recognized Leonard with their highest award making him a Fellow of the AIA. He served as President of the Wisconsin Chapter of American Institute of Architects and later chaired the Wisconsin AIA continuing education committee for six years. Leonard was honored with the Community Partners Award from the City for his visionary and forty years of advocacy work to beautify the Fox River front and the development of the River Walk, and the City of Oshkosh Acanthus Award in 2011 for designing institution buildings that define and grace the public realm of Oshkosh.He was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church, an active Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow, and served on the Camp Hiwela Board for many years. After his retirement he joined SCORE and the ROMEO club that he enjoyed. With his wife, built a cabin in the woods and established a Tree Farm in Wild Rose, WI.Leonard is survived by his wife of seventy-two years, Lucille Reinke, daughters Ann Reinke Strong (William), Mary Reinke, and Joan Reinke Ziegler (Peter), five grandchildren, Courtney Weiland (Ryan), Peter Ziegler (Susan), Erik Ziegler (Jena), Mary Strong and Robert Strong, two great grandchildren, James and Elsa Weiland, sister-in-law Marge Fenn and nephews Philip Whitney and Peter Patton. His parents and his sisters, Dorothy Patton and Ruth Whitney, preceded him in death.Funeral services will be held Monday, June 8th at 11:00AM at the First Presbyterian Church, 110 Church Ave. Visitation will be from 10AM to 11AM at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts to the AIA Wisconsin Architects Foundation, 321 S Hamilton St, Madison 53703; the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, Reinke Fund; or First Presbyterian Church Oshkosh.

First Presbyterian Church



110 Church Avenue
Oshkosh
WI
54901

00:00.0
10:00 am until 11:00 am



First Presbyterian Church



110 Church Avenue
Oshkosh
WI
54901

00:00.0
11:00 AM



Riverside Cemetery



1901 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh
WI
54901