Donald K. Rhine, the founding CEO of WCTA Federal Credit Union—now known as Reliant Community FCU—died on Saturday.

Rhine organized and chartered WCTA FCU in 1970, along with a small group of volunteers. Over the course of 24 years, he helped grow the credit union to 18,000 members, three branches, and over $100 million in assets before retiring in 1994. He continued to serve on the board of directors until 2000.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our founder, Donald K. Rhine. Our credit union family has lost a visionary leader and a special person,” said Pamela P. Heald, current president and CEO of Reliant Community FCU. “Without his drive, vision and leadership, our credit union wouldn’t be the successful organization we are today. We are forever grateful for him. He was so proud of ‘his’ credit union.”

“We have not only lost a respected voice and founder of the credit union family, we have lost a true friend who will be greatly missed. Don was a great mentor for me and many others whether in the classroom setting as a science teacher or as Reliant’s founding CEO,” said Jane E. Slack, chair of Reliant Community FCU’s board of directors.

A celebration of Rhine’s life will be held this at 11 a.m. this Saturday, April 21, at the Fairhope Avenue Baptist Church in Fairhope, Alabama, followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall. A memorial service will also be held in Sodus, New York in the coming months, at a location, date and time to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be directed to the Clear Springs Baptist Church, ATTN: Rhine Legacy Missions Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 21, Cantonment, Florida, 32533; or to the Reliant Community Credit Union, ATTN: DKR Scholarship Fund, PO Box 40, Sodus, New York, 14551.