Casey J. Reinking, 69, of Sunnyvale, CA, passed away on July 14, 2026, following complications from cancer. He was born on May 22, 1957, in San Antonio, Texas, the son of Wayne Reinking (deceased) and Patti Sontag, and stepson of the late Les Sontag.

Casey spent his early years in Southern Illinois, graduating from Alton High School in 1975. While at Alton High he was an accomplished cross country and track and field athlete completing in the Illinois State Championships. He went on to attend Eastern Illinois University (EIU), where he studied Industrial Technology and graduated in 1980. While at EIU, Casey found his true passion on the cross country and track team. In 1979, he was named an All-American after breaking the school's 5000-meter record, a mark he held for many years. In recognition of his athletic achievements, Casey was inducted into the EIU Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.

Casey maintained strong bonds with his cross-country teammates through the years, relationships that felt as close as family. For over 50 years, they gathered annually for Homecoming at Eastern Illinois University and the Illinois State Championship track meet, traditions that kept these special friendships strong. He will be dearly missed by his teammates and friends.

After college, Casey moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where he built a career as a systems engineer in the aerospace industry, working at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space and Scitor Corporation. Even as his career flourished, Casey never left his love of running behind. He competed for years with the Lockheed Martin running team, winning numerous races, and continued to race personally at events across the country.

After retirement, Casey filled his days with adventure, traveling in the US and abroad on motorcycle trips alongside the close friends his years of riding had brought into his life. 

Casey is survived by his longtime partner, Marian Richard of Cupertino, CA; his mother, Patti Sontag of Elsah, IL; his brothers, Chris Reinking of Los Altos, CA, and Carl Reinking of Garfield, NM; his half-brother, Andrew Reinking of Edwardsville, IL; his stepmother, Faye Hughes of Red Bud, IL; his stepsisters, Ruth Sontag of St. Louis, MO, and Becky Wood of Minneapolis, MN; and his stepbrothers, Tim Sontag of Yellow Springs, OH, and Dan Sontag of Brattleboro, VT. He is also survived by his nephews, Remington and Rhys Reinking of Los Altos, CA, along with numerous step-nieces and step-nephews who will remember him fondly.

Casey will be remembered for his competitive spirit, his dedication to the sport of running, and the record-breaking legacy he left at Eastern Illinois University. He leaves behind a life marked by achievement, perseverance, and love for family and friends.