Reinhold Matulenko

Reinhold Matulenko, 84, Clearwater. Reinhold "Reinie" Matulenko, of Clearwater, Fl., passed away at East Bay Rehabilitation Center due to complications of diabetes on July 28, 2016. Born in Latvia, he emigrated from Europe to the United States at age 18 with his mother (Stanislava) and brother (John), settling in Jamestown, ND. He received his BS degree form St. John's University in Collegeville, MN and his MS degree form the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks in mathematics and physics. Reinie's professeional career began in rocket engine design for North American Aviation near Los Angeles, CA.

After 3 yerars, he accepted a position at Honeyweoll, inc. in Minneapolis, MN where he spent the next 32 years continuing his work as an aerospace engineer. he had significant contributions on every US manor manned space flight from Gemini to the Internation Space Station, which also included the Saturn V moon explorations and the Space Shuttle program. It was during the shuttle program that he and his family moved from Minneapolis to Clearwater, Fl in the early 1970's. Upon his retirement from Honeywell, he continued to be an avid runner, fisherman, gardener, computer enthusiast and self-proclaimed county traffic planner frequently "inspecting" all new road and bridge projects in the Clearwater area. Although he possess a strong intellect, people who knew him described Reinie as truly humble and unassuming with a charm that came without conscious effort. His positive attitude, warm heart and charm will be missed by his family and friends. Reinie leaves behisnd his sons Mark (and Jen) and John; along with 5 grandchildren and former wife and good friend Ardie. His funeral will be held on Saturday, August 6 at 11 ap.m. in the chapel of Rhodes Funeral Home in Clearwater. There will be vistation befroe the service at 10 a.m. Interment will take place at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Clearwater.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Reinhold Matulenko, please visit our floral store.