LCDR Jack "Jake" Rhinebolt, USN (Ret), Class 13

It is with great sadness that the UDT-SEAL Association informs its membership about the passing of LCDR Jack Rhinebolt, USN (Ret), SEAL, Class 13 on June 19, 2010.

Jack Rhinebolt, LCDR, USN (Ret), SEAL, age 79, of Phippsburg, Maine passed away unexpectedly at his home, on Saturday June 19, 2010. Jack was born on September 17, 1930 in Fredericktown, Ohio. He was the son of Henry J. and Mary (Dye) Rhinebolt. He graduated from Martel High school in Martel, Ohio in 1948.

Jack enlisted in the Navy, in September 1948. He was commissioned in 1962 and served from 1964-1969 with SEAL Team 2. After 22 years of honorable service, Jack retired from his Naval career in Fort Bragg, NC in 1970, as a Lieutenant Commander. Jack was a long time member of the UDT-SEAL Association.

During his career he received the following training: Basic Airborne School, UDT-SEAL training with Class 13, Nuclear Weapons training, Spanish language, USA Ranger training, Amphibious Communications, Jungle Operations, Naval Gunfire Air spotter. Jack's awards include, 2 Bronze Star Medals with Combat V, Navy Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation with 3 Stars, Purple Heart Medal with 1 Star, Navy Good Conduct Medal with 2 Stars, WWII Navy Occupation Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Stars, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Medal with Bronze Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Navy Expert Pistol Medal, and Navy Expert Rifleman Medal.

Following his retirement from the military, Jack, Jean and the boys moved to Oxbow, Maine. Jack worked for the Department of Conservation, Maine Forest Service as a District Ranger in Masardis, Maine from 1971 - 1990. During that time, Jack attended Maritime Forest Ranger School in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He also tested and passed the Merchant Marine exam and he worked briefly for the Nevada State Bureau of Land Management as a Forest Ranger fighting forest fires. After retiring from forest service, Jack and Jean built a home in Phippsburg and moved there in 1996. Jack had many hobbies and interests, especially fishing for striped bass. Jack and Jean were long-time members of the YMCA and exercised every morning at the "Y" for many years.

Jack is survived by his beloved wife (High School Sweetheart) of 60 years, Jean; sons Daniel Rhinebolt and his wife Ellen of Las Vegas, Nevada, John Rhinebolt and his wife Mary Ann of Virginia Beach, Virginia; two special daughter-in-laws Ann and Lorna; grandchildren David and wife Holly , Michelle, Nicole, Jake, Bobby , Dustin, Nate, Ryan, Kristin, Racheal, and Jessica; ten great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sons, David and Michael; his parents; his sisters, Jean, Eileen and Dorothy; and grandson, Matthew.

Graveside services will be held on July 1, 2010, in Oxbow, Maine at 12 noon. Please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com to share your thoughts and condolences with Jack's family.

Memorial contributions may be made in Jack's memory to Jack Aibis Boxing Class at the Bath Family YMCA, 303 Centre Street, Bath, ME 04530 (207) 443-4112.