Larry D Rhinehart

Avatar photo

Rank: MSgt

Entered Into Eternal Rest
2011-12-15

MSgt (Retired) Larry D. "Gus " Rhinehart, 61, left this world on December 16, 2011 unafraid and with peace in his heart. He faced cancer with strength and courage, a warrior to the end. His unfailing wit and humor were ever present.

Born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania to Floyd and Lois [Walters] Rhinehart, Gus arrived on November 6, 1950. Gus is survived by his wife, Claudia; daughters, Ashley and Ciara; mother Lois; brothers, Russel and Kevin. He is preceded in death by his father and brother Jerry.

Gus was a career Combat Controller who served in the United States Air Force from 1970-1994. Gus CCT assignments included Dyess AFB, Ramstein AB, McChord AFB, Rhine AB, Hurlburt Field, Scott AFB and Kirtland AFB. Gus held ratings and qualifications as a Master Parachutist, HALO/HAHO Jumpmaster and Instructor, Combat Diver, Dive Supervisor and Instructor, Castmaster and Rappel Instructor, Cross Country Ski Instructor, Explosives Safety Supervisor and Senior Air Traffic Controller. Gus was also a Sky Hook Master and completed a live Fulton Recovery in 1981. He served in the Gulf War and was awarded the Bronze Star. After Military retirement, Gus served with Boeing for the next 15 years as a Tower Controller, assisting with the development and fielding of the Apache Longbow. He was a blessed man indeed to have 2 careers he loved.

Gus was the epitome of the CCT motto, "No Sky Too High, No Blast Too Fast, No Job Too Tough, No Sea Too Rough. " Gus was always a team guy who was respected and loved by his teammates. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to the Special Operation Wounded Warrior Foundation or Banner Gardens Hospice House in Mesa, AZ. He will be missed by all. The world will be a little less bright without him. Gus was always a team guy who was respected and loved by his team mates

Leave a Memory

 
 
 
 
 
Uploading an image will add code in brackets [...] That is normal. You will see you photo appear after your submission has been approved.

Fields marked with * are required.
3 entries.
SMsgt PW Collins (ret) wrote on August 5, 2023
Gus and I went thru HALO JM School at Ft. Bragg, the only two wing nuts along with three Marines. Remember driving back to Langley in his blue Chevy stringray. Gus was a great guy with favorite expression "Yeah but...." The year before he died, I got to talk to him while he was in the tower at Boeing Field in Mesa, AZ. I had retired in '84 and was working at Honeywell in Tempe, AZ. Shame we never got together.
Gus and I went thru HALO JM School at Ft. Bragg, the only two wing nuts along with three Marines. Remember driving back to Langley in his blue Chevy stringray. Gus was a great guy with favorite expression "Yeah but...." The year before he died, I got to talk to him while he was in the tower at Boeing Field in Mesa, AZ. I had retired in '84 and was working at Honeywell in Tempe, AZ. Shame we never got together.... Collapse
ROGER L. KLAIR wrote on February 24, 2023
GUS, AGAIN, YOU WERE ONE OF THE BEST, GONE TOO SOON....RIP BROTHER
GUS, AGAIN, YOU WERE ONE OF THE BEST, GONE TOO SOON....RIP BROTHER... Collapse
Brian Guettler wrote on August 3, 2022
I served with Gus at Kirtland AFB in the early 90's. His personality was infectious, I always looked forward to seeing him and on downtime listening to his stories. He and Claudia were wonderful (her and my wife were pregnant at the same time). He will be missed.
I served with Gus at Kirtland AFB in the early 90's. His personality was infectious, I always looked forward to seeing him and on downtime listening to his stories. He and Claudia were wonderful (her and my wife were pregnant at the same time). He will be missed.... Collapse