During high school, he met his wife Esther White at a church social in Butte. They were married on September 18, 1934 (The AeROHRcrafter, July 23, 1956; Legacy).

In 1934, after Joe graduated from the Montana School of Mines, Esther and Joe moved to San Diego. Joe worked at Ryan Aeronautical as a cost accountant, estimator and scheduler, from 1934-1940. He met Fred Rohr at Ryan where Fred was the Factory Manager. In 1940 when Joe and Fred Rohr formed Rohr Aircraft, Joe as an Executive Vice President. He assumed the office of the President and General Manager at Rohr in 1956 (The AeROHRcrafter, July 23, 1956; Campbell 2020; “18 - and Still Growing: New Orders and Expanded Facilities Send Year’s Sales to Record Total.” 1958).

Mr. Rheim held membership in the 100,000 Mile Club along with other Rohr Aircraft staff ("Air-Travel Club Enrolls Hobel Whose Trips Top 120,000 Miles.” 1952).

Joe gave numerous speaches at the Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions clubs (The AeROHRcrafter, July 23, 1956).

Mr. Rheim headed the executive committee that was responible for all of Rohr's training programs (“Training Is Good Business.” 1958). In 1958 he announced a fourth course in the Company's training, Pre-management Development Training, due to continued expansion of Rohr's operations and "a growing need for supervisory and management personnel" (“Pre-Training for Management: Supervisory Course Made Available to Employees.” 1958). Mr. Rheim was re-elected to Rohr's Board of Directors as President (“Stockholders Meet: Pension Amendment Gets Approval.” 1958).

Joe retired in March of 1961 for health reasons. He passed away at the age of 50 on December 17th, 1961 of a cerebral hemorrhage in San Diego, California (“James Rheim, Former Rohr Chief, Dies.” 1961).

Written by Sue Poole, July 10, 2021.