Randy is quite popular in the DCC forum having posted nearly every day for a long time. I took note today that he hasn’t been around for over three weeks now. There is also no activity anywhere else he frequents. Messages to him on Facebook go unanswered as well.
Just curious if anyone knows him personally and if he is alright.
Mark.
[Edit: Update can be found here - Tom/User mod]
Mark,
I had started to take notice of Randy (rrinker)'s absence here on the forum last week. I think the last time he posted was 3/27. I do hope things are well with him.
Tom
I really hope that Randy is okay. He has been such a great help to me for my layout build that I’ll have to put a plaque on it to recognize his input.
Dave
Yeah, I have been wondering about him as well. I have particularly noticed his absence on the Electronics forum. Whenever I post an issue or question about Electronics, I sit back and wait for Randy to respond. Hope all is well with him.
Rich
I sent him an email this morning, but no response.
I really hope all is well. Randy knows his stuff, and his posts are informative and accurate. He is a real asset to this community.
-Kevin
Randy has helped me a tremendous amount since I returned to the hobby fifteen years ago and joined this forum. I hope all is okay for him.
Randy has been a fantastic asset in this and other forums. Unfortunately most of us are at an age where stuff happens, with or without covid. I hope he returns soon.
Add in me to those Randy has helped over the years.
Hope all is well.
I printed out one of his responses to a situation I had programming a decoder - it was easy to follow and helped me get multiple units running.
I’m checking with other organizations in our area that he is a member of.
It is with great sadness that I post this update about Randy:
https://www.beanfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Randy-Rinker
A former co-worker of Randy’s emailed me just this evening with the sad news. This is a great loss for our MR forum community, as Randy helped so many of us with his vast knowlege and expertise on DCC and electronics. His participation, prowess, and helpful spirit will be sorely and greatly missed. First and foremost, however, I am heartbroken for his family and friends for their loss. [sigh]
Tom
May he rest in peace, and hopefully he is happily running trains and programming decoders for the rest of eternity.
Wow. Thanks, Tom for letting us know. I have the rum out and will have a second for Randy. Thanks for all your help over the years, here’s to ya.
Brent
WOW! That is sad and sudden. Thanks Tom.
Prayers to the family.
Mike.
I’m in shock! Randy was such a wonderful and supportive person. I will dearly miss his frequent assistance with my layout.
My condolences to his family.
Dave
Completely shocked and saddened by this news. RIP Randy. Prayers for his family and loved ones.
This is terrible news, and Randy will be missed. I hope he has found eternal peace.
He just passed the 30,000 post milestone.
-Kevin
My condolances to Randy’s loved ones. He was a familiar face around the forum and was always ready to lend a hand. May he rest easy.
This is beyond a shock. I saw him several times with his modular group at the GSMTS in Timonium over the years.
I am deeply saddened by this loss, and his family will be in my prayers.
I also recently got word that a local modeler friend of mine has passed, someone with no presence on this forum.
It has been a very sad year for this kind of news.
Randy will be missed by more people than he could ever have imagined.
Sheldon
Deepest condolences to Randy’s friends and family.