Friday, December 16, 2011
MSgt (Retired) Larry D. “Gus” Rhinehart has passed
MSgt (Retired) Larry D. “Gus” Rhinehart passed away in hospice on 15 December 2011 after a long bout with cancer. Gus was a career Combat Controller who served in the United States Air Force from 1970-1994. Gus’ CCT assignments included Dyess AFB, Ramstein AB, Langley AFB, McChord AFB, Rhine Main AB, Hurlburt Field, Scott AFB and Kirtland AFB. Gus held ratings and qualifications as a Master Parachutist, HALO/HAHO Jumpmaster and Instructor, Combat Diver, Dive Supervisor and Instructor, Castmaster and Rappel Instructor, Cross Country Ski Instructor, Explosives Safety Supervisor and Senior Air Traffic Controller. Gus was also a Sky Hook Master and completed a live Fulton Recovery in 1981. He served in the Gulf War and was awarded the Bronze Star. After Military retirement Gus served 15 years as a Boeing Tower Air Traffic Controller, rising to the position of Tower Chief. Gus was the epitome of the CCT motto “No Sky Too High, No Blast Too Fast, No Job Too Tough, No Sea Too Rough”. Gus was always a team guy who was respected and loved by his team mates.
Words do an injustice in explaining how much we will miss Gus. He will remain very alive in our memories and admiration. From: Tom and Flora Bevan
ReplyDeleteGus, Dave, Alan, and myself started out together and through CCT school before parting ways. The memories I'll always have and the stories I'll never tell. I'm glad we got to reminisce at the 50th reunion. So long brother.
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I dropped him, dropped to him (a six pack on his birthday in the field with Nick K in Spain 1979), picked him up (not STAR) and there was none finer - as a CCT, a father, husband, friend, comrade and warrior. We will all miss him.
ReplyDeleteGus was my neighbor in Mesa. I was proud to call him my friend as he was as good a man as I have ever known. RIP, bud.
ReplyDeleteJF