Rinn-sup Shinn ’57

Rinn died on his 82nd birthday, May 5, 2011, after a long struggle with cancer.

He came to Princeton from South Korea, joining ’57 in his junior year. He majored in political science at the Woodrow Wilson School and joined Prospect Club. His roommates senior year were Tim Sherwood, Bob Coe, and John Dewey.

For 40 years, Rinn was a scholar and researcher. He co-authored three books on North Korea, studies on Japan and China, and many other erudite works. In 1981, Rinn was invited to Princeteon to lecture and write on China. These works were published by the Army and American University. Overall he authored or co-authored 30 book-length country studies.

Rinn was associated with American University for 24 years, joined the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress in 1990, and also was a visiting lecturer at the Foreign Service Institute. He retired in 2001.

He was an excellent table tennis player and played pool while in college.

He married Stella in 1962. They had two daughters, Mimi and Joanne, and three grandchildren, Emma, Lauren, and Frank. To his wife and family, the class extends its condolences. We will miss this learned and sensitive classmate.