Joseph Lyn Reinhart
Sept. 15, 1957-Jan. 24, 2026

Joseph Lynn Reinhart, age 68, was killed on Jan. 24, 2026 while working at his home in Oita, Japan.

Joe was born in Sioux City, Iowa on Sept. 15, 1957 and his family moved to rural Spring Lake, Minnesota, when he was 2 years old. In 1969 his family moved to Homer, Alaska, and members of his family still live there. 

Joe was always active and creative, and while still in high school he began apprenticing as a builder. Throughout his life he maintained a tie to the building trades, working on traditional housing, but also learning skills in building scenery and props in Hollywood for movies, TV and theme parks. This job led him to work in Japan, and he realized that he truly enjoyed being an ex-pat in the Japanese culture. He built a reputation there for building theme bars like Harry Potter, and for turning unlikely cast-offs into construction art.

In Japan, Joe met and married Sayuri Mineno and settled there permanently. He was working on their property and was killed when his equipment overturned. In addition to his wife, Joe is survived by his mother, Linda Shows Reinhart; brothers, Robert John Reinhart and wife Vickie Hall; and Steve Thomas Reinhart and wife Patti Valentine. His sisters are Vesta Elizabeth “Becca” Reinhart, Susan Carole Reinhart and husband Joe Cook, and Jennifer Reinhart and husband John “Zen” Kelly.


Joe’s father, Henry Joseph “Jim” Reinhart, predeceased Joe.

Joe was blessed with a large family and there are many nieces, nephews and cousins that were important to Joe’s life. He was truly an “Uncle Drosselmeyer” type of uncle and was a favorite character for the young people in his life. Joe’s remains will stay in Japan and a service of remembrance will be held in Homer this summer.