Reinhold Robert "Bob" Reinke, 91, Minot formerly of Lake Metigoshe, died Sunday, January 20, 2008, in a Minot nursing home.

Bob was born on June 4, 1916, on the family farm in McKinley Township of Ward County north of Minot to Reinhold and Lettie (Miller) Reinke. When the farm was sold in 1925, Bob moved with his family to Minot. He graduated from Minot High School in 1934 and was employed at Saunder's Drug as a young adult. Bob married Pearl Larson in 1939, but she died a year later in childbirth. Bob was married to Phyllis Spoklie from 1942 until 1968 and together they had two children. They made their home in Minot. During World War II Bob joined the U.S. Navy and was trained as an aviation machinist at the Navy Pier in Chicago. He had a distinguished military career serving in the South Pacific including Guadalcanal and New Hebrides, New Caledonia. Following his honorable discharge in October of 1945 Bob was employed in the wholesale grocery and retail pharmacy businesses in San Diego. In 1950 he returned with his family to North Dakota where he operated a retail grocery store and had other business endeavors in Westhope. After the discovery of oil in North Dakota, Bob embarked on a long and successful career as a petroleum landman. His infectious personality and hardy sense of humor earned him the respect and friendship of people all across the country. In 1970, already the father of three children, Bob married Pat Groninger Smith and made his home with Pat and her six children. They built their "dream home" at Lake Metigoshe in 1982 and resided there until 2001 when they returned to Minot. After retiring in the mid 1990's, Bob and Pat operated a small craft business, and watched their family grow with the addition of in laws, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were happily married until her death in 2002. Bob will be fondly remembered as a gentle giant- a generous and gentle man who will be greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.

Survivors include his children: Donovan (Betty) Reinke of St. Paul, MN, Gregg (Caron) Reinke of Corvallis, MT and Julie (Robert) Gilbert of Scottsdale, AZ; stepchildren: Cherie (Joe) Erdmann of Clay, NY, Jana Smith of Denver, CO, Michael L. (Kristi) Smith of Minot, Kelly (Chris Petty) Larsen of Philadelphia, PA, Maggie (Wayne) Ferris of Papua, New Guinea and Casey (Jodi) Smith of West Fargo, ND; grandchildren: Kristin Gehring, Blake and Cali Reinke, Robbie and Alex Gilbert; step grandchildren: Amy Klobus, Katie DeAnthony, Erin and Colin Larsen, Ellen Shaffer, Andrew and Zach Ferris, Wyatt and Ethan Smith; Great Grandchildren: Hannah and Kayla Gehring, Emma and Claire Reinke and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; wives; sisters: Mae Sadler, Bella Price, Helen Watson, Irene Almy and Ruth Wood and brothers: Carl and Dick Reinke.

Funeral Service : Friday, January 25, 20008, at 11:00 a.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home Chapel;
Interment will be in Rosehill Memorial Park;
Visitation : Thursday from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Memorials are preferred to the Lake Metigoshe Improvement Association.