Vernon W. Rink

Vernon Wallace Rink was born May 9, 1934, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Walter and Thelma (Olson) Rink. On August 20, 1954, he married his high school sweetheart, Charlotte Ann Zeman, in Willmar, Minnesota.  Vernon was proud to serve in the Air Force in aircraft electronics during which time he and Charlotte were blessed with six children. The family lived in Minnesota, Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas, California, and Alaska, where MSgt. Rink was honorably discharged after 20 years.

After retiring from the Air Force and having served his country in both the Vietnam and Korean wars, Vern built houses in Alaska before moving to Mississippi and Florida, finally making his home in Georgia.  Through the years he worked for FEMA in disaster relief in addition to GSA in fleet management.

Vern loved God, his wife and family, good home cooking and family gatherings, hunting, fishing, boating, and everything Alaska.  He also loved golf, woodworking, billiards and cards, coins and blackjack, talk radio, football, and Atlanta Braves baseball.  He was a trophy-winning bowler, an auctioneer, and an incredibly talented handyman who could fix anything.  Vern was a devoted husband of 66 years to Charlotte and a respected and loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He was a generous friend and helpful to those in need, and he loved to tease and make people laugh.  

Vern’s fighting spirit prevailed until the very end, overcoming multiple hospitalizations for much of the year and even recovering from Covid-19.  He passed peacefully in his home at the age of 86 on Saturday, August 29, 2020, due to complications of congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  He is in heaven with Jesus, his body is healed, and his soul is at peace.  Interment at Georgia National Cemetery, Canton, Georgia, October 9, 2020.  Memorial services at Amazing Grace Lutheran Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia, October, 10, 2020.  

Vern will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Charlotte, and his children, Susan (Rich) Kassel of Southport, North Carolina; Michael (Jacquelyn) Rink of Fircrest, Washington; Leasa Taylor of Dacula, Georgia; Mark Rink of Sterling, Alaska; Debra (Scott) Luther of Lawrenceville, Georgia; Pamela Rink of Auburn, Georgia; and grandchildren, Jason (Heather) David; Mariah David; Robert Rink; Megan Taylor; Kayla Taylor; Dylan Rink; Charles (Katelynn) Luther; Julianna Luther; Alexandra Luther; Mathew (Megan) Rink; Michael Angles; and great-grandchildren Aiden Rink and Ashlyn Rink; and Jackson Rink and Charlotte Rose Rink; and his sister Karen Nytes of Hackensack, Minnesota.

Contributions to Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, 3305 Lawrenceville Highway, Lawrenceville, GA  30044 are appreciated in memory of Vern Rink.