Lynn Reinbolt has traveled the world and made a difference in the lives of many.
The former president of Road Systems Inc. in Searcy retired in January, but volunteer work still keeps him busy.
Reinbolt said he is an avid environmentalist.
“I believe that our Earth was created by God for his purpose, and that we are endowed by him to be its caretakers. We are to care for, use and preserve his creation, not destroy it,” Reinbolt said.
Reinbolt said his work as a photographer was born out of that conviction.
“As I enjoy his creation, I capture images of it with my camera. I share these images with others so that his purpose can be understood and furthered by those who may not have the opportunity to visit or see these places,” Reinbolt said.
Environmental destruction is unacceptable and must be contained, he said.
“We still have time to turn the tide. I work with children. What good is it if we leave them a planet that cannot support them?”
Reinbolt said he recently donated more than 60 pieces of his photography to Unity Health in Searcy to use as wall art.
Unity Health is one of the community’s flagship institutions, he said.
“The passion they show for caring for the lives of others is admirable. They have actively supported the support groups my wife has been involved with,” Reinbolt said.
Reinbolt said he is honored that Unity Health can put his images to use.
Cassandra Feltrop, executive director of the Unity Health Foundation, said Reinbolt donated a total of 67 pieces of photography.
“We are so honored to be the recipient of this beautiful artwork,” Feltrop said. “Mr. Reinbolt is truly talented with a camera and showcases some lovely waterfalls and other landscape scenes around Arkansas in the photography that he has donated.
Feltrop described Reinbolt as a kind, caring man with an enthusiasm for photography.
“I admire the time and efforts he put into capturing the perfect pictures of so many beautiful areas in our state,” she said. “I also admire that he is willing to donate them to us to share with our patients, their families and the hospital team to make a positive impact on those in our health care facilities.”
Reinbolt’s photography has also been featured in a variety of shows, galleries and exhibitions.
Currently, one of his photographs is being shown throughout the state in the Arkansas Arts Council’s 2017 Small Works on Paper exhibition.
Photography allows you to demonstrate love for the arts, he said.
Reinbolt said he became interested in photography after his mother gave him an Ansel Adams book as a child.
“I have been hooked since. I gave it up for a time, but as my children left home, they asked me to photograph the places I visit, and I fell in love with [photography] all over again,” he said.
When he isn’t taking photos, Reinbolt said he enjoys hiking, biking, gardening and playing basketball.
Reinbolt is involved in Upward Searcy Basketball, an organization that he said is dedicated to changing the lives of young people in the community.
Upward Searcy demonstrates the values of Christ through fairness, love and sportsmanship, he said.
“I am part of Hoops for Hope International, which has the same core values. I work with my church and other Christian organizations as they strive to show the love of Christ and share his message,” Reinbolt said.
Amanda Watson, league director for Upward Searcy, said Reinbolt is unique.
Watson said that while Reinbolt’s first impression is often tough and serious as a coach, he’s actually the opposite.
“He is a very kind and loving coach,” she said. “He’s a jokester and very goofy with the kids.”
Reinbolt loves the kids as though they were his own, she said.
Watson said the organization has many great coaches, but Lynn is an outstanding one.
“Many are loving Christians who put the kids first. Many are good coaches with a solid grasp of the game. Very, very few are both,” she said.
Watson said Reinbolt is a rare gem, and the organization’s Coach of the Year award is even named the Lynn Reinbolt Award.
Reinbolt has been coaching basketball for over 30 years, she said, and is always willing to step in where he is needed the most.
Watson said she considers Reinbolt a mentor, and they both coach in the same leagues.
“Lynn and I make the games fun for the girls, even in a competitive atmosphere, by poking at each other on the sidelines. We give each other playful trash talk and try to teach the girls that even in the most competitive of environments, at the end of the day, having fun and glorifying God are the most important things,” she said.
Reinbolt has also been involved in mission work since he was 16, spending time as a social worker, teacher, coach and camp counselor, among other roles.
As a result of his mission work and business, he has traveled to 46 states and 23 countries, he said.
“Once I was playing basketball with some of the kids I was working with in a tough neighborhood,” Reinbolt said. “A minister came running up to me and told me to put a preacher’s collar on to protect me against harm.”
Reinbolt said he was working with a church organization in the Robert Taylor Homes area of Chicago at the time.
A person with his big stature was often mistaken as a person of authority, he said.
“When I asked for Joe or Mary, I would often be told they were not around. However, once I was able to convince them of what I was doing, Joe or Mary would magically show up,” Reinbolt said. “Of course, working with someone and then hearing from them later in life as they share their success is always fulfilling.”
Reinbolt said he is engaged in mission work because of his faith and love for Jesus Christ.
“Through the Bible we find that Jesus instructed us that it is our duty as Christians to go and spread the word,” he said.
Reinbolt has two daughters, Brittany and Bethany; a son, Shawn; and a granddaughter, Shayna.
Born and raised in Chicago, Reinbolt graduated from Fenger High School.
He graduated from Chicago State University with a degree in psychology.
Anything he has ever accomplished is due to God’s grace and the people that he’s surrounded with, Reinbolt said.
Reinbolt said he admires his wife, Robin, who is a cancer survivor who never lost her faith while battling the disease.
“She inspires our children and me,” he said. “When we feel sorry for ourselves, as we all do, we just have to look at her.”
Reinbolt said his sister, Bonnie, has also survived the disease.
“When I show my photography, the proceeds from all sales are provided to various cancer-survivor support groups. These two ladies are my heroes because of the gallantry they demonstrated as they fought this crippling illness,” he said.
One organization and survivor support group that he donates to is the White County Kicking Cancer Foundation Inc.
Myrtle Hughes of White County Kicking Cancer said Reinbolt has been very supportive of the organization, often using his talent to conduct fundraisers.
Hughes is also captain of the White County Survivor/Caregiver Relay for Life team.
“He made two different calendars that our team sold. One was called ‘Naturally White County’ and was made up of different scenery pictures he had taken in White County. The other calendar was a collage of pictures he had taken of the survivor/caregiver team at different events and activities,” she said.
Hughes said Reinbolt is always willing to help.
“Lynn loves people, especially his family. He has followed his two daughters to different countries to support them, one of them in a sport events and the other in mission work in Nepal,” Hughes said.
Hughes said she admires Reinbolt’s character and the many things he has done.
“He has done so much for so many but never wanted to be recognized for anything,” she said.
Staff writer Kayla Baugh can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or kbaugh@arkansasonline.com.