Roger Reinhart

Roger E. Reinhart

Age 85, of Montour Falls, died Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at Schuyler Hospital.

Roger was the 8th of 10 children, born to Turah Brackney and Herman Reinhart in Wapakoneta, Ohio. He is survived by his daughter Patricia Reinhart; grandson Kyle Tuttle, his wife Ann and their 2 children, Haley and Adam, all of Watkins Glen; granddaughter Kelley Ellison and her sons Erik and Gregory of Dundee, NY; his brother Paul Reinhart and sister Maxine Cochran, both of Ohio. Roger is also survived by his dear friend and companion of 16 years, Arlene Dann; along with her two daughters, Kathy and Karen; and her grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Patricia, who died in 1987.

His military career extended for 12 plus years. He entered the US Army Air Corps in February of 1942; serving in Europe, Africa, China, Alaska and Cuba. He was a Radio Operator and Gunner-credited with 50 missions on a B-17 in 1943. He also flew many missions during the Berlin Airlift. Roger earned the Air Medal with 9 Oakleaf clusters and was decorated by the Chinese National Government. He also received a Purple Heart and 4 battle stars on his Victory Medal. He became a regular Army Master Sergeant in 1944.

Along with his wife Pat and daughter Patty, he served at Furstenfeldbruck Air Base in Starnberg, Germany from 1949 until 1952, when he started service at Sampson AFB.

In 1954 Roger entered into partnership with Malcolm Currie and purchased the Watkins Review newspaper. They acquired The Daily News in 1959 and the Watkins Express in 1964, jointly operating the business until 1987.

Roger was an active member of the Watkins Glen Chamber of Commerce and a major force in the formation of the Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce. He became President and served more than 40 years as a Director. He held memberships in the Glen Elks, Montour Moose Club, he was a charter member of the Watkins Glen Golf Club, the Watkins Glen Rotary Club, Watkins-Montour Lions Club, the National War Plane Museum in Big Flats, Montour Falls Yacht Club, and Mechanics Club. He was also a Director of the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Corp. and a Director of the NY State Press Association.

After retiring from newspaper publishing, he became the Public Information Director of Schuyler Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Memorial Arbor Program at the Watkins Glen Golf Course or Friends of Watkins Library (F.O.W.L.) in Roger’s name.

The family will receive friends at the Royce-Chedzoy Funeral Home, 212 E. 4th St., Watkins Glen, on Saturday, (March 14) from 1-3pm; with a celebration of his life to follow. You may sign a memorial guestbook for the family or “Light A Candle” in his memory at www.Royce-Chedzoy.com.