Leo A. Rhein

Leo Albert Rhein, Jr., 97, of Missoula, Montana, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 6, 2016 at St. Pat’s
Hospital surrounded by loved ones easing his passing. He was born to a Montana pioneer family on July 29, 1919 to Leo Albert Rhein and Pearle Agnes Leedy Rhein. His early years were spent at Wolf Creek, Montana where he yearned and practiced to be a Montana cowboy. He graduated high school in Helena, Montana and subsequently joined the National Guard.

Lt. Col. Leo A. Rhein was a veteran of overseas service during WWII with the 41st division in Australia, New Guinea, Biak and Schouten islands. After Officer Candidate School in Australia, he participated in the New Guinea, Leyte-Samar and Luzon campaigns and saw action in Palawan and Mindanao.

After the war, he attended the University of Wisconsin where he met and married his beloved, Claire Kassay. Claire served in the WAVES for three years during the war, finishing her service as Admiral Rickover’s yeoman. They returned to Missoula after their wedding to finish school.

Upon graduation from Montana State University (now U of M,) he returned to active service. His career
included postings to Germany, Saudi Arabia, Puerto Rico and a number of states before retiring in 1968. After his military career, he finally used his Forestry degree to work for the BLM in bringing about healthier land
management before finally retiring in 1978.

Retirement years were spent with family: working his property; raising animals; and creating beautiful iris
gardens. He enjoyed life-long passions of photography and golf. Leo and Claire enjoyed their motorhome,
traveling especially to areas of historical relevance, throughout the Western United States. He joined his wife, Claire Kassay Rhein, in volunteering at the University of Montana Archives where he enjoyed working on
photographs and special collections. Their collective involvement was appreciated not only by the Archives, but also by Friends of the Library, Montana Historical Society and the Stevensville Historical Society where their writing contributions led to “Montana Genesis.” A Leo A. Jr. and Claire Rhein Collection, circa 1860-2001
resides at the University of Montana, Mansfield Library, Archives and Special Collections.

Leo’s greatest joy was in his large and extended family: Antonia Rhein Manus (Lynn) of Spokane, WA; Jonna Rhein of Missoula; Nicola Rhein of Lewistown, MT; Laurie Rhein of Spokane; Leo Rhein (Janette) of Tucson, AZ; Susan Rhein of Bernalillo, NM; Clint Rhein (Susan) of Grand Prairie, TX; Deborah Rhein of Santa Rosa, CA, and Cynthia Rhein of Missoula. His sister, Carley Cromwell, of Missoula survives him. He had amazing love for his 20 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was a man who loved completely, deeply and without reservation.

Internment will take place during the summer at the VA Cemetery in Helena, Montana where he will join his beloved, Claire. To honor Leo’s life: work to make the world a better place with compassion and acceptance as he himself did.