Theodore Russell Reinhart, 87, passed away peacefully at home on August 6, 2025, surrounded by family. Born on January 24, 1938, in Sellersville, PA, Ted was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, traveler, academic, and talented educator.
A professor of Anthropology and Archeology at the College of William and Mary for 35 years, Ted specialized in North American and Mesoamerican native American cultures. Ted graduated from Liberty High School in Bethlehem, PA in 1955 and joined the U. S. Army at the age of 17, serving 3 years with the U.S. Army Security Agency in South Korea. He received an undergraduate degree in Philosophy from Penn State University in 1961, a Masters in Anthropology from George Washington University in 1964, and a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of New Mexico in 1968.
Ted was highly organized and loved books, the outdoors, camping, and travel, especially throughout the American Southwest. He completed two oar trips down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon and numerous camping trips with his sons, and later in life, with his grandchildren. He also ventured on 49 cruises with his wife throughout Europe and the Caribbean.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Joy Bennett Baxter Reinhart; his sons, Steven Theodore Reinhart, and Brian Chester Reinhart (wife Michelle Fox Reinhart). He was also a proud and devoted grandfather to Mitchell Theodore Reinhart, Brian Coleman Reinhart, Harrison Cabot Reinhart, Katherine Addison Reinhart, Elizabeth Kayla Reinhart, and Steven Talan Reinhart, and step-grandfather to John Tyler Daspit.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Arleene Mantana Greene Reinhart Linn, and his father, Russell Wilson Reinhart.
A private graveside service for family will be held at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Williamsburg, VA.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to The Archeological Society of Virginia.
