“In this country we have lost touch with our past and are very focused on here and now. We can’t make the most of the moment without knowing where you came from.”-Carl Rinder
For Carl Rinder, those aren’t simply thoughtful words. They’ve become the guiding principle that shapes his retirement, reminding him that understanding the past makes every new adventure, every family gathering, and every journey more meaningful.
The King Bruwaert House senior living community resident has spent the past decade uncovering family stories that were nearly lost to time, transforming decades of research into self-published books that preserve his family’s history. Along the way, his curiosity also led him to another passion, writing historical fiction inspired by the pioneers of Black baseball.
“We all have stories,” Carl said. “Everyone has stories.”
A Family Tradition Continues
Carl has lived at King Bruwaert House for three years, although the community has been part of his family’s story for much longer. His parents were once residents, and today his brother and sister-in-law also call King Bruwaert House home.
“I didn’t really feel the need to move,” Carl said. “But I knew it was going to become increasingly important as I aged. I was ready to be done with home maintenance and fixing things up.”
The move has given him something even more valuable than freedom from household chores. It has given him time.
“I had wanted to spend more time on my hobbies, and living here has made that possible.”
Uncovering the Past
Before retirement, Carl spent 36 years at Children’s Memorial Hospital, now Lurie Children’s Hospital, where he worked behind the scenes planning programs and facilities. A graduate of Lawrence University who later earned a master’s degree in urban planning from the University of Illinois at Chicago, he helped develop programs ranging from epilepsy services and sleep medicine to cochlear implants.
“I was a backroom spear carrier,” he said.
Retirement opened the door to a passion that had quietly waited in the background for years.
Together with his brother Bob, Carl began digging deeply into their family’s ancestry, piecing together photographs, documents, newspaper accounts, and stories from libraries, historical societies, and genealogy websites. Their research eventually traced family lines back to the 1600s, connecting them to ancestors from Scotland, England, Ireland, Holland, and Germany.
One mystery, involving the death of a great grandfather on Illinois’ Vermilion River, took nearly 60 years to fully unravel.
Looking back, Carl has only one regret.
“I didn’t ask more questions sooner.”
That realization is one reason he encourages others to begin preserving their own family histories while they still can.
Bringing History to Life
His love of history eventually carried him from genealogy to baseball.
After contributing a chapter to the book Old Comiskey Park, Carl found himself fascinated by the rich and often overlooked stories surrounding early Black baseball. His historical fiction book, Back Roads, follows real historical figures including Andrew “Rube” Foster, Rube Waddell, Fleetwood Walker, Satchel Paige, and Josh Gibson through fictionalized stories grounded in historical events.
The title carries special meaning.
“I called it Back Roads to signify a different route to the same destination. Not behind or lesser, but certainly a more difficult road.”
Rather than writing a traditional history book, Carl wanted readers to experience history through the lives of the people who shaped it.
“What I wanted to do was have a more personal look into the era,” he said. “To tell individual stories.”
His books are not sold commercially. Instead, he shares them freely with family, friends, and fellow residents.
A Creative Retirement
Writing isn’t Carl’s only creative outlet. He also enjoys painting, drawing, playing acoustic guitar, and especially Celtic music. At King Bruwaert House, he attends concerts, programs, and outings, while also volunteering outdoors to help restore natural areas along the community’s creek, even creating a pocket prairie.
He describes King Bruwaert House as “a very caring and friendly community.”
“I feel very much at home,” he said. “The grounds are beautiful and it’s so peaceful. I crave the quiet.”
Although Carl describes himself simply as “an average guy,” his work tells a different story. Through thousands of hours spent researching forgotten relatives and overlooked moments in American history, he has preserved something priceless.
After all, as he believes, understanding where we came from helps us better appreciate where we are today.
Senior living resident stories highlight the experiences, accomplishments, hobbies, and personal journeys that continue to shape older adults’ lives. They help showcase the individuality, purpose, and connections found within senior living communities.
Preserving family history allows older adults to share memories, experiences, and traditions with future generations. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on meaningful moments and celebrate personal legacies.
Creative activities such as writing, music, art, gardening, and volunteering can encourage social engagement, mental stimulation, and a sense of purpose during retirement.
Senior living communities can provide opportunities for connection, maintenance-free living, engaging activities, and new experiences while supporting residents’ independence and lifestyle preferences.
