Kent H. Rinehart

Kent Rinehart, 68, of Eau Claire, died August 14, 2024, peacefully at his home after a 3-month fight with Pancreatic Cancer. 

Kent was born May 26, 1956 and raised in Davenport, IA. He attended St. Ambrose College and started his career there. The luckiest day of his life occurred in 1981, when he met Deb Hickson who became his wife on September 3, 1982. They welcomed their first daughter, Nicole in 1988 and their second daughter, Kelly in 1991. More than anything, Kent loved being a dad to his two girls. From teaching them to fish, being active in their schools, encouraging them to try new things, instilling the importance of discipline and hard work, supporting them as they started lives of their own, and wishing them safe travels wherever they went, he was always cheering them on.

He spent 36 years with the Internal Revenue Service, starting out as a field revenue agent in Davenport and then Atlanta, GA. He then was promoted to service center manager in 1987 and moved to Cincinnati, OH. In 1992, he was selected as district office manager for Eau Claire. In 1998, Kent was promoted to headquarters analyst, but continued to work in Eau Claire until he retired. After the IRS, Kent enjoyed working at First Choice Recycling for several years to keep him busy.

In his spare time, Kent loved golfing, working in the yard, traveling, and doing crossword puzzles among many other things. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Deb, daughters Nicole (Cory) Richardson and Kelly Rinehart.

Kent was preceded in death by his father Harold in 1983; mother Margaret in 1980; and brother Paul Dean in 1954.

There will be a public celebration of Kent’s life held on August 25th from 1:00 - 4:00 PM at Pine Meadow Golf Course. The family will have a private burial. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Eau Claire Community Humane Association. Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

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