Bruce Ralph Rintelmann

Bruce Ralph Rintelmann (SMSgt-USAF Retired)

Born to Ewald and Eva (Mellor) Rintelmann, was the oldest of 3 children with 1 brother (Allen) and a sister (Marlene). From the earliest stories, Bruce was a hard worker and a man of few words.

Bruce attended West Milwaukee High School and graduated in 1947. He was active in the school band, loved the outdoors, and developed his lifelong craft and hobby of photography. After graduation, Bruce enlisted in the US Navy and attended multiple trainings in Colorado, Texas, Alabama, and Wisconsin, moving over to the US Air Force and the Wisconsin Air National Guard as a Flight Engineer and systems mechanic. The dual specialty provided Bruce with a platform of service on missions across the world. His pride was serving as a Flight Engineer to the 128th Air Refueling Group. Bruce served more than 40 years in the combined service of the US Navy and the Wisconsin Air National Guard, retiring in 1988. Bruce logged more than 10,000 flight hours aboard KC-97 Statocruiser and KC- 135 Statotanker aircraft, trips to numerous states and countries, and countless hours of alert in support of the United States of America.

Bruce married Hilde on 7/5/1958 and raised 2 children. Trips across the United States and around the world were part of life at home with Bruce. Camping and canoeing took a close second. His handiwork on restoring airplanes, canoes, and anything mechanical was a testament to his creativity and cleverness.

After retirement, Bruce was always available to lend a hand at church, to the neighbors, and to his family. His trusty chainsaw and willingness to “get a job done” were always part of his charm. Bruce’s legacy of world travel and photography will be remembered by all who knew him, as Bruce literally “documented” our lives through his photographs.

Bruce was welcomed by his Lord and Savior in heaven on August 4, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Hilde, and Brother Allen. Bruce is survived by his loving family, daughters; Becky Rintelmann (Raul Galvan), Daughter Holly(Peter) Wendling, grandchildren; Alexis and Celeste.

Visitation at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin on Monday, August 9, 2021, from 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM. Service at 12:00 PM.

Private entombment Wisconsin Memorial Park.