Robert F. Rink, 82, executive with life insurance company

Robert F. Rink, 82, of Wayne, a life insurance company executive, died Friday, Nov. 15, at Paoli Memorial Hospital of a thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Starting in 1955, Mr. Rink worked in the life insurance industry, rising to president of the Life Insurance Co. of North America, which became part of Cigna Corp.

After retiring in 1989, he taught business and finance courses in the degree-completion program at Eastern College.

Born in Pittsburgh, Mr. Rink graduated from Mount Lebanon High School and earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Pittsburgh. He attended Navy Officer Candidate School and was commissioned a first lieutenant. He served overseas on the Waller, a Navy destroyer.

Mr. Rink was an active member of Wayne Presbyterian Church, where he was a ruling elder. He previously served on the finance committee of the Presbytery of Philadelphia.

Mr. Rink loved playing golf at Waynesborough Country Club in Paoli, but his greatest joy came from planning and taking summer mystery trips with each of his five grandchildren.

"He would pick a destination and play travel agent," said his wife, the former Susan Clair Haabestad. "They would usually leave by car and make stops, visiting tourist locations. The grandchild didn't know where they were going until they left."

The itinerary usually included playing miniature golf and seeing a baseball game, his wife said.

At various times, Mr. Rink took grandchildren to Niagara Falls, London, San Francisco, and Phoenix. He also took them to Pittsburgh so they could see where he had grown up and learn about the family's roots.

"I think he enjoyed it as much as they did," his wife said.

Mr. Rink married Virginia Saunders in 1953; she died in 2006. He married Susan Haabestad in 2007.

Besides his wife and grandchildren, he is survived by a son, John Scott; daughters Susan Rink Getman and Cynthia Rink Springer; stepchildren Kathryn Clair, Peter Haabestad, and Julia Bartosh; eight step-grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at Wayne Presbyterian Church, 125 E. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, Pa. 19087. Burial is private.

Contributions may be made to the church.

610-313-8102