In Memory of . . . Steven C. Reinhartsen (1951-2012)

The Reverend Steven C. Reinhartsen died unexpectedly at home on September 14, 2012. He was 61 years old.

Rev. Reinhartsen was born in Amityville, NY on June 7, 1951. He attained his Bachelor of Science degree from Valparaiso University in 1973. In 1981, he went on to earn a Master of Education from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Finally, in 1997, he earned a Master of Divinity from Duke University.

Rev. Reinhartsen was ordained on January 12, 2003 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro, NC. A community minister, he spent over two decades as a career counselor to students at Alamance Community College. Recruited by a small group of Unitarian Universalist residents to help form the UU Fellowship of Twin Lakes in January 2000, he also provided spiritual leadership and preaching to the Unitarian Universalist group at Twin Lakes Retirement Center in Elon, NC.

Rev. Reinhartsen’s life experiences were vast, including years of travel and adventure. During and after college, he hitchhiked across the U.S. twice; studied for a semester in Germany; and spend two years teaching in Australia. He and his wife, Mary, travelled extensively throughout their years together. They visited nearly every major national park, and also travelled to places such as Paris, London, Santa Fe, Costa Rica, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver.

Rev. Reinhartsen enjoyed jogging, hiking, golfing, landscaping, fantasy baseball, and a good bottle of red wine. Described as a “quiet, wise, kind man,” he made those that knew him “feel at ease from the beginning” with his “calm nature.” A friend noted, “Steve was such a thoughtful person and so many people will always remember him for that.”

Rev. Reinhartsen is survived by his wife, Mary Davis; a son, Karl Reinhartsen; a brother, Paul Reinhartsen; a brother, Lars and his wife Gretchen Reinhartsen; as well as nieces Rois, Maja, and Zoe.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro in Jamestown, NC.

As many of his friends, colleagues and family knew, Rev. Reinhartsen was passionate about the work-study program at Alamance Community College and how beneficial it was for students to hone their skills before entering the workforce. In honor of this legacy of passionate advocacy for students, the College has created the Steven Reinhartsen Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship will benefit work-study students at ACC and help with tuition, books and emergency expenses. Donations for the Steven Reinhartsen Memorial Scholarship may be sent (with “Reinhartsen Scholarship” in the memo line) to ACC Foundation, P.O. Box 8000, Graham, NC 27253.

Donations may also be made to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro, 5603 Hilltop Road, Jamestown, NC 27282

Notes of condolence may be sent to Mary Davis at 120 Forestview Dr., Elon, NC 27244.

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