Dr. Richard Byron Rienstra, at the age of 76, passed away peacefully in his home, Friday October 31, 2014, surrounded by his family. He was born July 28, 1938 in Nederland, Texas to Albert and Dorothy Rienstra. Known to family and friends as Byron, he was reared In Nederland, Texas where he graduated from Nederland High School. He received his under graduate degree from Lamar University in Beaumont and graduated from medical school in 1963 from University of Texas School of Medicine in Galveston, Texas and went on to complete his residency from John Peter Smith in Fort Worth, Texas. He returned to Nederland where he successfully partnered in private practice with Dr. Robert Moore and Dr. Joe Richardson. He continued in private practice for the next 26 years. After retiring from private practice, he spent the next 20 years as the Medical Director at Lamar University in Beaumont. Over the course of nearly 50 years practicing medicine, he was known for positively impacting the lives of so many people.

Byron is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marcia; three children, Henry Rienstra and wife Jennifer of Katy, Amy Rienstra Ricci and husband Thomas of Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and Douwe Rienstra of Austin; three sisters, Rita Premo and husband Dan of Chestertown, MD, Doris Williams and husband Joe of Farmers Branch, Anne Fosher and husband Mike of Houston; three grandchildren, Andrew and Spencer Henry Barberree, and Henry Rienstra III; nieces, Robin Young, Erin Hentschel, Alison Black and nephews, Chris Premo, Joel Williams, Curtis Williams, Greg Hamilton, and Matthew Hamilton. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Dorothy Rienstra and brother Roger Rienstra.

Byron will be fondly remembered by family and friends as a loving father and spouse, caring and dutiful son, inspirational older brother, dear and respected friend, distinguished physician, and devout Christian.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the American Lung Association, 2425 West Loop South, Suite 330, Houston, Texas 77027 or Marion and Ed Hughes Public Library, 2712 Nederland Avenue, Nederland, Texas 77627 in memory of Dr. Richard Byron Rienstra.

A gathering of Dr. Rienstra’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 7, 2014, at Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland. His memorial service will be 4:00 p.m., Saturday, November 8, 2014, at the First United Methodist Church Community Fellowship Center, 123 North 13th Street, Nederland. A family committal was held at Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont.