In Memory of David M. Rinke

aren Rinke. David was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for the past 27 years, working most recently at the Frankfort Post Office. He was a graduate of Lincolnway High School, a registered official with the I.H.S.A. and a member of U.M.P.S. The speech made by his daughter Lauren at his wake:

When I was growing up my dad was hard on me, and I never understood why until I was much older by realizing and appreciating that he changed my whole life in many ways. Through his tough parenting he instilled in me important morals and values at a very young age that I know will stay with me the rest of my life. I grew to realize just how hard-working my dad was and how important it is to find a job that you enjoy. He worked so hard at the Post Office for 27 years to ensure that we had a comfortable life style. It was also because of this reason we lived in two nice houses and went on amazing vacations that gave me precious memories that I will never forget. He may have spoiled me when I was younger but he made sure to teach me that you have to work hard and earn what you own and be proud of even the littlest accomplishments. His stubbornness rubbed off on me but I have realized that is what makes me a strong person (and I’m constantly reminded that I am like him for that reason). He taught me to love the simple things in life like family dinners, spending time together on weekends, going camping and fishing, watching basketball games and teaching me the rules of baseball, even if I didn’t want to listen. He showed true devotion to me and others that he loved by doing little things to show how much he cared. He was hard to understand sometimes and I realize now that by being the second oldest brother and son in his large family made him feel like he couldn’t let anyone down by making a mistake or saying something he didn’t mean and disappointing those who meant the most to him. He made me realize that no one is perfect so we all make mistakes and we sometimes do things that we wish we can take back. He taught me that you can’t turn back time and undo what you have said or done but you can move on and make up for mistakes of the past in different ways. It was also hard for him to express what he was truly feeling sometimes and he put on a sarcastic strong front to make himself feel safe and collected, but behind all of the pride and façade he was loving and compassionate to those who took the time to know him for who he really was. I have so many memories with him that have changed my views on life and have made me realize that life is short and precious. I have hundreds and hundreds of pictures of him and I and family and friends, but none of those memories can make up for the fact that he is gone now, taken before his true time. He won’t be here to see me graduate from college, or get my first full time job, or walk me down the aisle, or be here to tell him that he’s going to be a grandpa for the first time, but I would like to imagine that he is still here, watching over me so he knows how much I love him and how much I want to make him proud of me, I love you daddy.