Rinehart, Floyd Levi

Floyd Levi Rinehart, 92, died Saturday, July 30, 2011, at his home in Summerdale, Ala. He was born on May 28, 1919, to Levi and Laura Rinehart on the family farm near Victor, Iowa. As Floyd worked alongside his father on the farm, the values of integrity, hard work and respect of his fellow man were instilled in him - values that were to define Floyd's character.

When World War II broke out, he joined the Navy and was stationed at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla. In the Navy, he received his technical training and skills in radio and communications and rose to the rank of First Class Petty Officer. It was in Pensacola that he met Edna Roe, a native of Alabama. They were married on Jan. 16, 1947. He and Edna returned to Iowa, where Floyd studied engineering at the University of Iowa. Until 1955, Floyd was an engineer for Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

In 1955, he returned to Florida to work for RCA in the space program at Cape Canaveral. After arriving in Melbourne, Fla., Edna opened a hearing aid center where she utilized the knowledge she had acquired in Iowa while working with Dr. Scott Reger, a pioneer in audiology. Floyd, who had spent many hours studying Dr. Reger's research, soon joined Edna in the business where they provided hearing aids to the hearing-impaired of Brevard County for 28 years. During the 28 years, he was associated with Dr. John Victoreen and digital sound processing.

Floyd was an avid amateur radio ham and enjoyed many hours contacting friends all over the country. He was justly proud of his powerful radio equipment and the impressive antenna which he built and installed himself. His love of amateur radio was a natural extension of his friendly personality and love of good conversation. Floyd was active in local politics in Melbourne and was a member of the Men's Republican club. He was conservative in his politics and even wrote a book entitled “Hearing Aids and Political Distortions” which spelled out his views.

Floyd and Edna enjoyed traveling and they traveled all over the USA in their motor home. Not long after they retired and sold their hearing aid business, they sold their home in Melbourne, Fla., and traveled full time in their motor home. Eventually they settled in Summerdale, Ala., where they were active in Marlow United Methodist Church. Floyd was active in the local Wallstreet Watchers club where he actively pursued his longtime interest in investing. He remained actively interested in the political scene in America never wavering from his conservative beliefs.

Floyd was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Rinehart.

He is survived by his sister, Ardyce Lukehart of Cedar Rapids.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 2, at the Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Fla. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Marlow United Methodist Church, Marlow, Ala.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in memory of Floyd to Marlow United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 430, Summerdale, AL 36580.

Funeral arrangements by Mack Funeral Home Inc., Highway 59, Robertsdale, Ala.