Robert John Reiner's Obituary
Robert John "RJ" Reiner, 81, of Frankford, DE, passed away peacefully at home in his sleep on Friday, December 20, 2024, after a long and courageous battle with end-stage COPD. He was born on May 10, 1943, in White Plains, NY, the son of the late Robert J. Rooney and Mildred (Hirst) Reiner.
A proud Vietnam veteran, Mr. Reiner served with distinction in both the U.S. Air Force and the Army, where he was a part of the 5th Special Forces Group (SFG). After his service, he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and pursued a varied and rewarding career, working in law enforcement in Pennsylvania and Oklahoma.
Mr. Reiner was also a former employee at Pat's Aircraft Safety Officer in Georgetown, DE. His passion for service continued as he worked for Central Security at the Philadelphia Folk Festival and was the founder of the local paintball team, Mike Force.
In his personal life, Mr. Reiner was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying hunting and fishing whenever he could. He loved nothing more than ending his day with a cup of coffee at the local diner, where he connected with friends and fellow community members.
Mr. Reiner was preceded in death by his brother, Dennis. He is survived by his life companion for the past 29 years, Sandra Shannon; his sons, Christopher Scott and Matthew of Texas, and Chad of Frankford, DE; his daughters, Sheri and Samantha of Texas; his four grandchildren; and his brother William of Glenside, PA.
A funeral service with military honors will be held at a later date. Mr. Reiner's family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to all who supported him throughout his life and during his final years.
He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.
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