Bruce Rinker was born in Washington,DC, where his godfather was General Counsel for the American Red Cross. He and President John F. Kennedy were the leaders who were chiefly responsible for Bruce's decision to attend law school.
Bruce also lived in Alliance, Ohio and Eugene, Oregon before moving to Sidney in the fifth grade. He had two brothers: Roy '62 and Chuck '63. In high school, Bruce did gymnastics, played basketball, and swam for the Oneonta YMCA. He was a lifeguard at the Sidney pool, played piano, and played percussion in the Sidney school band. Bruce graduated in 1969, and claims that "much of what I focus on today is directly traced to the physical environment that made up my world in Sidney, New York."
After receiving his bachelor's degree from Hamilton College, Bruce earned his Juris Doctorate from Case Western Reserve University Law School. At Hamilton, Bruce sang in the College Choir and enjoyed the European tour in 1972. He studied in France his junior year. In law school, he was Executive Editor of the Journal of International Law. As an appellate law clerk, he wrote extensively for judges. He taught legal research, writing and oral advocacy at Cleveland Marshall Law School, and now teaches graduate students there.
A trial lawyer for thirty years, Bruce has also worked as a labor Relations Representative, State Appellate Court Law Clerk, Assistant County Prosecutor in the Felony Criminal Division, developing expertise in municipal, zoning and eminent domain law, often lecturing in these areas. As he continued his law practice fulltime, Bruce also served for twenty-three years as the mayor of Mayfield Village, using his knowledge and expertise to plan and direct important changes that provided enhanced quality of life to many citizens. He assembled 150 acres of land devoted to public purposes, creating an interconnected system of greenways and trails that link neighborhoods, parks, and public transportation into a comprehensive countywide network. The greenway system provides recreation opportunities and alternative transportation options to improve the community's health, wellbeing, and economic vitality. In honor of his expertise, commitment and dedication, the greenway was named "The Bruce G. Rinker Greenway."
Anthony J. Russo, Presiding Judge of the Cuyahoga County Probate Court, appointed Bruce to the Cleveland Metroparks Board of Commissioners in 2010, where he continues to serve. The three Commissioners manage over 23,000 acres of parks; have over 500 employees and an annual budget in excess of $100 million. Bruce secured over 450 acres of lake front property for the park system. According to Judge Russo, "his service there is unpaid, but of the highest quality.
Bruce Rinker certainly serves as a good example of how the fine schools and community of Sidney, NY, helped him go into the world and to contribute so much