Vinroe

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Richard B. Vinroe, 62, of Butler, on Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026.

The quintessential Butler boy, Rick was born Oct. 9, 1963, son of the late Carl H. Vinroe and Margaret Anna Heaton Vinroe.

Raised in Butler, he cruised the streets on his bicycle and took his job of delivering the Butler Eagle very seriously. Rick graduated from Butler Senior High School in 1981 and Butler County Community College in 1983. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in education from Slippery Rock University in 1986.

Rick was hired at Moniteau High School, where he was chosen, more for his physical size than for his experience, to be the teacher in charge of the new in-school suspension program. After a few years of that challenge, he found his true calling in federal government work. Rick retired from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, retirement operations, in 2020 with 31 years of honorable service.

Rick, a big man with a big heart, treasured the simple pleasures of life. He valued the time he spent with his family and with the many friends he developed over his lifetime.

Rick was an avid sports fan, always cheering on and debating the merits of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins, as well as all Pitt teams. He enjoyed golf, but sometimes spent too much time trying to find his ball in the woods. An avid bowler, he achieved a perfect “300” game. He enjoyed the comradery as much as the bowling and — sadly — his passing leaves only one original member of the infamous “Vinroe Express.”

Rick was also a man of faith, who was a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, where he served as both elder and deacon. More recently, he was a member of First United Methodist Church/First Church, where he enjoyed fellowship and Bible study.

Rick was loved and he will be deeply missed by his family and friends. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his wife of 14 years, Joyce Vinroe; one son, Spencer Vinroe; his stepchildren, Melissa and Richard Gnipp, Stephen Harris II and Tina States; his adored granddaughter, Magnolia; one brother, Robert Vinroe; one sister-in-law, Judy Vinroe; nieces and nephews, Jennifer and Roy Longdon and David Vinroe; and several great-nieces and great-nephews.

In addition to his parents, Rick was preceded in death by his brothers, Brad Vinroe and Carl Vinroe.

VINROE — Friends and family of Richard B. Vinroe, who died Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026, are invited to visitation from 11 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 15, at First Church, 1802 N. Main St. Extension, Butler.

Funeral services will immediately follow at noon Saturday at the church, with Pastor David Janz officiating. The family invites attendees to join in fellowship and refreshment at the church directly following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Richard Vinroe to First Church, 1802 N. Main St. Extension, Butler, PA 16001, or to Butler Community Meal Ministries, 201 W. Jefferson St., Butler, PA 16001.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care of MARTIN FUNERAL HOME DOWNTOWN, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler.

For more information, please visit www.martinfh.net.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.