Hermann Rinkleff

Hermann Rinkleff, age 82 of Woodbury, MN, formerly of New Brighton, MN, and La Crosse WI, passed away peacefully while surrounded by family May 13, 2020.

Born in Opladen, Germany, in 1938, Hermann immigrated to the United States in 1953 and settled in Iowa with his family.

Hermann, an US Army Veteran, served during Vietnam and peacetime. He was a proud member of the Army Chorus; and was a researcher at the Natick Laboratories in Massachusetts.

Hermann’s Mechanical Engineering degree from Iowa State University allowed him to dedicate his career to complex engineering challenges around the world.  He enjoyed leading work in the chemical, petroleum and process industry in the area of low temperature refrigeration, steam turbine/boiler applications; and heat processing equipment.

Hiking, camping, photography, reading and singing provided him great joy.  Above all, he was a dedicated father and doting grandfather.  Hermann combined his love of the great outdoors and his dedication to family through the Boy Scouts of America.  Some of our best memories are of him in Scouting. He was an admired Scoutmaster of Troop 28 who empowered learning through leadership and adventure challenges; he was innovative, energetic, funny, adventurous, and determined.  He even found ways for his daughters to be active in Scouting well before girls were able to join. As a grandfather, he ensured the Scouting tradition would continue with his grandchildren, by providing weekly support when his son-in-law was deployed oversees; and by teaching the Engineering Merit Badge.

He is preceded in death by his father, Karl Rinkleff; his mother, Helene Rinkleff; and his bothers Franz and Karl Rinkleff.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years Rodna Rinkleff; siblings Christel Rinkleff, Anneliese Rinkleff, Herbert Rinkleff, and Paul Rinkleff; children Joe Rinkleff (Lea Duma), Katie Rinkleff Overland (John Overland), Peter Rinkleff (Wendy Melis), and Erika Rinkleff; his grandchildren Cole Overland, Jack Overland, Ethan Overland, Isaac Rinkleff-Duma, Georgia Rinkleff-Duma, Cecilia Rinkleff and Colin Rinkleff.

A private family memorial service will be held Saturday, May 23rd at 1:00 PM, with a livecast available by Bradshaw. Interment Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date. Memorials preferred to Lewy Body Dementia Association https://www.lbda.org ; or Northern Star Scouting Tribute Fund http://www.northernstar.org/tributes-and-memorials