I was very sad to hear the news about Randy. I have always enjoyed his very informative posts. As a physician who is approaching 65 years of age, I am constantly reminded of friends, classmates, and relatives who are no longer here. This, to me, is a constant reminder to “live life in the moment, as if there were no tomorrow”. RIP Randy! - Mike Johnson
Oh my goodness this is awful. Besides the obvious loss for his family, the loss of knowledge here is enormous. May he rest in peace.
A sad day for Randy’s family. My condolences to them.
A great loss to the Model Railroader community. You could always count on Randy for a clear answer to any DCC or electronics question.
I know he will be missed.
[:(]
I’m saddened to hear of his passing. Seems odd — that recently many of his YouTube videos have been showing up in my “suggested” page at YouTube quite often.
Adding to the irony, he was just getting started on his “dream” layout. Sometimes life just isn’t fair.
My condolences go out to his family and friends.
Regards, Ed
That about sums it up nicely, Randy was a great guy, RIP.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Kindest regards,Craig the Bear.
SORRY TO HERE THIS. MAY HE REST IN PEACE. CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY.
This is truly heartbreaking news for Randy’s family, friends, and fellow forum members. My condolences to all. Randy was only 54 years old, way too soon to leave this life.
As, I recall, I believe that he moved to a new home within the last few years and was preparing an area for his dream layout. Randy wrote often of that dream layout, and he discussed his design and electronic controls for that layout. Now, his dream will go unfulfilled.
I consider Randy to be the most influential member of this forum. His replies on the Electronics and DCC forum could be found in nearly every thread. He always had the answer to every question, and he usually was the one to solve each and every problem. As I look back over his contributions to the forum, it pleases me that his last words on the forum were on my thread about lighting issues. He solved countless problems for me.
I never met Randy, but I felt that I knew him well. We PM’d back and forth on many issues including assistance to me on household wiring issues. He will be sorely missed on the forum. I hope that his name will eventually be found on THE RIP TRACK portion of the monthly Diner thread.
Rich
Add me to the long list of MRs who was helped out by Randy. What a great asset to the Forum, and what a great and giving friend to all of us. I always figured him to be “older”, and was supprised to read how young he really was.
My prayers and sympathy go out to his loved ones and friends…
I was shocked to stumble across this bad news this morning Rich. So sorry to hear it. Randy was a very likable guy. I definitely considered him a friend here on the forum.
I knew Randy through the years and talked to him at times here. He helped me as well with some things. I always enjoyed reading his posts. They could get rather lengthy at times but it was because he was sharing a lot of knowledge on the subject at hand.
Randy will be missed around here
My heart goes out to his family and friends.
John
This is VERY sad news. I feel terrible for his loved ones and family. They should not have to part with such a kind soul at any age. 54 is too young!
On a personal note, I appreciate those who look out for other active members on this forum. This place provides a lot of camaraderie and engagement. Yes, we sometimes get in some pretty heated discussions, but I hope (read pray) that everyone brushes such issues aside.
Randy was appreciated globally.
He was in my thoughts some two weeks ago, when I had problems with new ESU Loksound 5 decoders that I installed in my LifeLike E9’s. I was trying to slove this, and he came across my mind: “well, if I do not manage to solve this, I know who can - Randy”.
He had immense knowledge, but also willingness and energy to share it.
Hrvoje
Very shocking and sad news. He was truly one of the steady contributors to the forum, sharing his experience and advice on many topics, and generally enjoyed the conversation. He will be missed.
I enjoyed his series of layout build updates, as I remember being involved in some of the threads early when he first proposed the idea of building a new layout in his basement, and some of the challenges he had with the way the space was configured despite it being large.
54 is young. Reminds me that life can be a fragile thing. Appreciate each day as best you can, and take measures to take care of yourself as well. People will miss you.
http://cs.trains.com/members/rrinker/default.aspx
Maybe someone can make this link live. I can’t
Perhaps keeping a link like this permanent might be a good way to remember him, for what he contributed to this forum.
Such a premature loss is very sad.
[Edit: Made Randy’s profile page link clickable - MR moderator]
And a gentleman.
I’m sorry to see this unwelcome news, especially losing someone at only 54 years of age. He will be missed here as well as by family and close friends.
If you did not open the obit link above, note that a contribution in Randy’s memory can be made:
“In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Reading Railroad Heritage Museum Technical and Historic Society 500 S. 3rd Street Hamburg, PA 19526 in memory of Randy Earl Rinker. Online condolences may be made to www.beanfuneralhomes.com”
Age 54. That’s just not fair.
I am reminded of what was my grandmother’s favorite poem. by Arabella Eugenia Smith, “If I Should Die Tonight.” I won’t reprint it here, it is easily found on the internet, but the gist of it is the writer is saying that if they died tonight people would remember and praise all the good things they’d done, forgive and forget the bad or unfortunate things, and would talk freely and openly about their feelings. The poem ends with a plea to do those things NOW while the person is still around.
Age 54. Man.
Dave Nelson
This is almost unbelievable.
Always thoughtful in his posts and replies and ready to help everyone. Such a great wealth of knowledge.
He will be greatly missed.
Scott Sonntag
Same age as me, and just starting his dream layout like I am.
This hits pretty hard.
-Kevin
Wow life is too darn short. Prayers for his family.
Very Sad news. Randy was very generous with his time and was always willing to help anyone solve a DCC/electrical problem with his expertise. The forum will be quite different without him. Condolences to his family and friends.
Guy