Robert Louis Reinauer

November 24, 1920 – August 17, 2010

Robert Louis Reinauer passed away peacefully in his home in the early morning of August 17th.  Robert was born on November 24th, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois.  He grew up in St. Louis, Missouri with his mother, father and older brother Max.

After high school Robert went to art school to pursue a career in commercial art.  When World War II began he was compelled to join the cause and enlisted in the US Navy. He shipped out on the brand new aircraft carrier USS Copahee. While in the service he was stationed in Alameda, CA, and New Caledonia.  Robert served as a welder, jeep driver and movie projectionist among other things. He also played trumpet in a Navy band. 

After the war he returned to Chicago where he worked as a welder in a bed factory and also did freelance work in commercial art. His work on airplanes during the war had sparked an interest in flying and he obtained his pilot’s license as a civilian. While working as an airbrush artist he met Eugenia Nies, also an artist, and they dated for several years until Eugenia moved to the Seattle area to her childhood home. The following year Robert joined her in Seattle and they were married in 1951.

Robert and Eugenia both worked as commercial artists in Seattle and built a home in Burien in 1953. Their son Dirk was born in 1959 and their daughter Deonne in 1961.

In 1965 they built a new home on family property on the south end of Bainbridge Island where they lived until his death, and Eugenia continues to live.

Robert was a founding member of The Intensely Vigorous Revolutionary Volunteer Dixieland Band and was a longtime member of the dance band The Tempos. He was also active in the Virginia V Foundation and served as announcer on many cruises. His other interests included amateur radio, boating, train travel, photography and being with his grandchildren.

Robert is survived by his wife Eugenia, son Dirk Reinauer (Jeri), daughter Deonne Rogers (William), grandchildren Brandon Reinauer, Nathan Reinauer, Jessica Reinauer, Robert Rogers and Camryn Rogers.

Please sign the on line Guest Book for the family at: www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.

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