Dear ISB Community,
It is with great sadness that we share the news that long-time ISB community member Bill Reinsch has passed away. While spending most of their time these days at their home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Bill and his wife Debbie have lived in Thailand since the early 1970s. Bill’s ubiquitous relocation and moving company, Transpo International Ltd./Asian Tigers, began operation in 1973. While Bill is best known for his work with his company, he has also been involved with other ventures in the Kingdom as well as being a significant contributor to the American Chamber of Commerce in Thailand.
Bill Reinsch also played a major part in the ISB community as the three Reinsch children, Bill, Annie and Mike, all attended the school. A big-time sportsman, Bill coached both basketball (his sport in high school and at the University of Southern California) and baseball in the ISB community, and it is his involvement with baseball in Thailand for which he was most passionate. In his time in Thailand, Bill’s work with the Bangkok Baseball and Softball Association (BBSA) was instrumental in promoting baseball as a major sport in the country. Fittingly, one of the finest baseball facilities in Thailand is located at ISB and is named “Reinsch Field” in honor of Bill’s dedication to ISB and athletics.
Bill was a great contributor to the community, to athletics and most importantly to kids that loved to play sports. Bill worked tirelessly in the background to help build great programs and to provide quality opportunities to student-athletes.
In the early 1990’s when ISB moved from the campus on Sukhumvit Soi 15 to Pakkret, Bill Reinsch was not only involved in directing the physical move to the new school (the move was generously made at no cost to ISB), he was also a major player in helping to establish the Nichada Thani community that was built surrounding the school. The success of ISB and the Nichada Thani community is due much in part to the efforts of this great man.
A graveside service in Jackson Hole, Wyoming will take place later this week, small in scope due to the current Covid-19 pandemic. The Reinsch family is hoping to have a memorial/celebration of life service in Bangkok when circumstances permit. Flowers can be sent to the address below:
Reinsch Family
7155 North Granite Creek Rd.
Teton Village, WY 83025
USA
Do note, however, that in lieu of flowers, the family would rather a small donation be made to a charitable foundation in the name of Bill Reinsch. This foundation will be set-up soon to support one of the many causes that Mr. Reinsch championed over the course of his lifetime. Information will be forthcoming.
Bill Reinsch was a very special presence at ISB, in Thailand, and in Southeast Asia as he touched the lives of so many people. As his son, Billy, wrote, ”I am sure he would want you to know how lucky and grateful he was to have crossed paths with you. All of you have helped to contribute to his very rich and fulfilling life. Just as you have touched him, I know he has touched many of you, in ways small and large, usually without fanfare or need for recognition. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy of integrity, compassion, and contribution. We will miss him dearly even though we know he is at peace in Heaven. While it is impossible not to feel tremendous sadness for having lost such a special human being, I hope you can take comfort in how blessed we are for the time we had with him. We are all the better for it.”
On behalf of the entire ISB community we send our sincere condolences to the entire Reinsch Family. May he rest in peace.
