Nancy L. Rhinehart

Nancy L. Rhinehart passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Arden Courts in Akron, Ohio. Nancy was born on June 24, 1935, in Akron, Ohio. She was the daughter of the late Carl S. Schoonover and Frieda J. (Liebmann) Schoonover. Her parents purchased a home in Northampton Township, Ohio in 1940 where she resided throughout her formative years and attended Northampton School through 8th grade. She was a 1953 graduate of Old Trail High School which was then located in Akron, Ohio. Nancy was a 1957 graduate of Smith College, located in Northampton, Massachusetts, where she obtained her Bachelor of Mathematics Degree. She was an ardent supporter of both Old Trail and Smith College throughout her lifetime and believed strongly in the importance of education for all.

She returned home after graduating college and was hired by B.F. Goodrich, where she worked from July 1957 to 1962 in the Tire Design department and was noted as the first Woman Tire Engineer. As a result, she was featured in The Goodrich Citizen and The Saturday Evening Post. It was while employed at Goodrich that she met her future husband, Clayborn Bass Rhinehart. They were married on July 7, 1962, in Akron and were married for 56 years.

Shortly after their marriage, they joined the Goodrich International “family” and headed off for their first assignment, which was in The Hague, Netherlands, from 1962 to 1965. Their subsequent assignments were in Tehran, Iran, 1968-1972, Melbourne, Australia, 1973-1975, and return to Iran, 1975-1976.

Although she loved travelling the world and making life-long friends both here and abroad, she loved her home which they purchased in 1965 in Akron, Ohio. They considered this their home base, often hosting travelers from around the world. Both she and Clay travelled extensively for over 50 years throughout America and the world.

She was a member of the Akron Garden Club, and Diggers and Weeders. She gave much of her time to both organizations. She was a member of Fairlawn Country Club. She and Clay supported a variety of charities and civic organizations for many years. She was a life-long PROUD Democrat. She believed in helping others, women’s rights, the importance of free public libraries, and the freedom for all people to choose their own path in life. Although it is now a dying art, she was a life-long letter writer, often writing lengthy letters at least once a week as a way of keeping in touch with family and friends. She loved her cats and dogs that she cared for from a young age until her recent illness.

Nancy is survived locally by her first cousins: Patricia Alexander and Robert Shoman, both of Akron.

Nancy lived a wonderful life full of adventure and life-long friends from around the world. Contributions in her name may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601; or to One of a Kind Pet Rescue, 1929 West Market Street, Akron, Ohio 44313; or to a charity of one’s choice.

Per Nancy’s wishes, there will be no services. Inurnment will take place at Rose Hill Burial Park.