PHIPPSBURG – Jack Rhinebolt, lieutenant commander, retired, 79, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, June 19, 2010, at his home. Jack was born Sept. 17, 1930, in Fredericktown, Ohio, the son of Henry J. and Mary (Dye) Rhinebolt. He graduated from Martel High School, Martel, Ohio, in 1948. Jack enlisted in the Navy in September 1948. He was commissioned in 1962 and served from 1964 to 1969 with SEAL Team 2 in Little Creek, Va. After 22 years of honorable service, Jack retired from his naval career in Fort Bragg, N.C., in 1970, as a lieutenant commander. During his career he received the following training/awards: Basic Airborne School, SEAL and UDT training, Nuclear Weapons training, Spanish language, USA Ranger training, Amphibious Communications, Jungle Operations, Naval Gunfire Air spotter, two Bronze Star Medals with Combat V, Navy Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with three stars, Purple Heart Medal with one star, Navy Good Conduct Medal with two stars, Word War II Navy Occupation Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal with Bronze Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Navy Expert Pistol Medal and Navy Expert Rifleman Medal. After his retirement from the military, Jack, Jean and the boys moved to Oxbow. Jack worked for the Department of Conservation, Maine Forest Service, as a district ranger in Masardis, from 1971 to 1990. During that time, Jack attended Maritime Forest Ranger School, Fredericton, New Brunswick. He also tested and passed the merchant marine exam. Jack also worked briefly for Nevada State Bureau of Land Management as a forest ranger, fighting forest fires. After retiring from forest service, Jack and Jean built a home in Phippsburg and moved there in 1996. Jack had many hobbies and interests, especially fishing for striped bass. Jack and Jean were longtime members of the YMCA and exercised every morning at the “Y” for many years. Jack is survived by his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 60 years, Jean; sons, Daniel Rhinebolt and his wife, Ellen, of Las Vegas and John Rhinebolt and his wife, Mary Ann, of Virginia Beach, Va.; two special daughters-in-law, Ann and Lorna; grandchildren, David and wife, Holly, Nicole, Jake, Bobby, Dustin, Nate, Ryan, Kristin, Racheal and Jessica; 10 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sons, David and Michael; his parents; his sisters, Jean, Eileen and Dorothy; and grandson, Matthew. Graveside services will be held noon July 1 in Oxbow. Memorial contributions may be made in Jack’s memory to Jack Aibis Boxing Class at Bath Family YMCA, 303 Centre St., Bath, ME 04530. To share your thoughts and condolences with Jack’s family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.
JACK RHINEBOLT
