Albert Henry Rienstra, a prominent merchant and civic leader of Nederland for more than 40 years, died August 24, 2007, at the age of 95. He was born March 12, 1912, in Nederland, the Dutch Colony that his parents Dan J. Rienstra and Johanna Ballast helped found. Rienstra was the fourth child of seven.
Mr. Rienstra earned a BBA degree from the University of Texas in 1935. In 1937 he married the former Dorothy Fowler Davis, a local school teacher and daughter of Methodist minister Rev. W.F. Davis. They became parents of five children, all of whom continued the Longhorn tradition by becoming graduates of the University of Texas. Albert and Dorothy were married 61 years before her death in 1999.
Mr. Rienstra's first business venture in 1935 was to purchase a Texaco service station; and then a year later, he established Nederland's first auto supply store. This was only a fleeting phase of his early business career prior to World War II. For over 40 years, Rienstra operated several retail establishments, the last of which was Rienstra's Department Store on Boston Avenue.
From his early adulthood Mr. Rienstra was interested in community affairs. He was a leader in the successful effort to incorporate Nederland in 1940. In 1947 Mr. Rienstra, his brother Dick, and other civic leaders obtained a state charter for Nederland State Bank (now Bank of America). Along with several local physicians, he helped establish the Mid-Jefferson County Hospital (now The Medical Center of Southeast Texas). He helped organize the Nederland Chamber of Commerce and served twice as president. He was instrumental in bringing the YMCA Branch to Nederland, serving on its Board of Directors for several years. Rienstra also served on the Advisory Board of the South Jefferson County Salvation Army post and was a longtime member of the Lion's Club serving as president for two terms.
During a lifetime of membership and service to First United Methodist Church of Nederland, he held every church office including serving as Sunday School Superintendent for 17 years and teacher for 20 years. Following retirement in 1977, he took up golf and pursued his interest in oil painting. At the spry age of 89, he scored a hole-in-one at the Babe Zaharias Golf Course in Port Arthur.
Mr. Rienstra was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy and son, Roger; sister, Anna; and brothers, D.X.; John D., Marion J., and Dan J., Jr. He is survived by son, Dr. Byron Rienstra and wife Marcia of Nederland; daughter-in-law, Bennie Rienstra of Fort Worth; daughters, Rita Premo and husband Dan of Chestertown, Maryland, Doris Williams and husband Joe of Dallas, and Anne Fosher and husband Mike of Houston.
Grandchildren include Robin Young and husband Dr. Todd Young of Aledo, Texas; Albert Henry Rienstra, II and wife Jennifer of Denver, Colorado; Chris Premo and wife Jennifer of Columbia, Maryland; Amy Rienstra of San Diego, California; Erin Hentschel and husband Scott of Austin; Douwe Rienstra of Austin; Joel Williams of Austin; Alison Black and husband James of Washington, D.C.; and Curtis Williams of Dallas; and 12 great grandchildren.
He is survived by a sister, Marie Fleming of Galveston; and sisters-in-law, Betty Rienstra of Beaumont and Maurine Rienstra of Austin.
The family will receive friends Thursday, August 30, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at Broussard's Mortuary in Nederland. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Friday, August 31, at First United Methodist Church of Nederland with Rev. Malcolm Monroe and Rev. Eldon Reed officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to First United Methodist Church in Nederland or the Salvation Army in Port Arthur.
