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Robert E. Heninger

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University of Southern California Point Loma High School

Robert Heninger Obituary

HENINGER, ROBERT E. Musician and Educator October 18, 1924 to April 17, 2009 On April 17, 2009, Robert E. Heninger peacefully passed away at home surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Heninger was an important innovator and contributor to the educational and musical communities of San Diego. After World War II, Mr. Heninger attended USC where he studied music and composition under the guidance of Ingolf Dahl. He taught choral music at Point Loma High School for eleven years, leading the award-winning Madrigal Singers. Robert Heninger designed and organized the music department at San Diego Mesa College, where he taught until retirement. Mr. Heninger received two sabbatical leaves to study music theory and composition at the American Academy of Music in Paris under renowned professor Nadia Boulanger. Several of his compositions were performed in New York City and by the San Diego Symphony and by other vocal and instrumental groups in the San Diego area. Along with David McNair, Mr. Heninger created the San Diego Composers' Forum. The Forum arranged performances for the music of aspiring young composers. After he retired from teaching, Robert Heninger and Martha, his wife of sixty-six years, moved to Santa Barbara, where they lived for ten years before returning to San Diego.

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Published by San Diego Union-Tribune on Apr. 26, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Heninger

17 Entries

Frank Noll

September 15, 2024

So many years ago - 1972 and 1973. I studied musical theory with him in class and privately. I can still remember his leassons - making me erase all my pencil markings and memorize everything. He left an indelable mark on my character and musicianship. All those hours with him and his guidance. I never became the composer he aspired to have me be, but yes, a pianist that to this day gives to others what I have learned from this man. I can only be graterful and humble at his person and what he has given me. Thank You

Eric A. Mosley

April 20, 2024

I am eternally grateful for Mr. Heninger's dedication to his students... his classes were not merely about music, they were lessons in life. It was most apparent that he was truly interested in students elevating their consciouness and becoming their best self.

Blessings Heninger family...

Bruce Dennis

March 20, 2024

Robert Heninger introduced me to J.S. Bach. I was a member of the 1963 Point Loma High School Choir that was preparing to perform the St. Matthew Passion under his direction until he took ill and the performance sadly had to be cancelled. His contribution to my musical education and appreciation cannot be overstated. RIP, Robert Heninger.

Eric A. Mosley

May 8, 2023

Thank you Mr. Heninger, you not only taught your students music theory...but also invaluable life lessons. I can't count the number of times that the wisdom that you shared with us came to pass in my life.
Eric A. Mosley (Mesa College 1972)
Blessings,

Gregory Hopkin

May 12, 2009

Robert E. Heninger or "Uncle Bob" as he was known to us was always a legend and celebrity of sorts in our house while growing up. From my earliest memories, I recall my mother/his niece (Patricia Heninger-Hopkin) gushing about this wonderful and talented man who lived in California, which seemed a world away at the time. While practicing piano, mom would often call out from the other room, "play that one more time and if you keep practicing hard, maybe one day you will be as good as Uncle Bob." While I cannot recall my only meeting with Uncle Bob at a very early age, his energy and love were alive in our home. Becoming an accomplished musician didn’t turn out as the path for me, but I can learn from Uncle Bob’s example just the same. It is apparent from these entries that he positively impacted an untold number of people directly and indirectly over a span of many years as an educator and all around kind and gentle person. Being lovingly remembered for positive impacts is an incredibly fitting tribute and living legacy for an obviously great man. While I may not have known him personally, I am better for knowing of him and on behalf of my mother and family send my best wishes to his dear wife and children that he loved so much.

Ed Marsh

May 2, 2009

I never had the pleasure of meeting this man directly - rather only knew him by way of his daughter, Ann, and granddaughter, Sarah, both of whom are beautiful inside and out - a testament to their patriarch.

Janet Wasko

April 30, 2009

I have thought of Mr. Heninger often over the last few years, recalling the wonderful music he introduced to us in choir and madrigals at Point Loma High ('61-'63). He inspired us, he challenged us, he taught us. I remember him fondly. My sincerest sympathy to his family.

Betty J Gilman

April 28, 2009

Thanks to Mr. Heninger, my years in choir and madrigals ('56-'59) have given me wonderful memories. He was kind, patient, and professional. What a great time we had!

Betty (Dahlheim) Gilman

J im Reid

April 28, 2009

He was my first piano teacher. Why did I not continue with that? Sigh . . . I will always remember my years at PLHS [1961-1964] as musical . . not only did Mr.Heninger instill a love of choral music, he exemplified perfecting it. I still remember the bass parts to pieces we sang at competitions in Choir and Madrigals these many years later. In church now, I still keep my eyes on the director, abdomen tight, and sing with joy, even as a member of the congregation. LOL I will never forget a competition we bussed to in L.A my senior year. We were singing forth or fifth in the line-up and were impressed with what others were doing. Now it was our turn, and since we had been properly taught, we stood on the risers a little taller, inhaled slowly as Mr. Heninger raised the baton. We were proud to sing there and represent PLHS, as well as representing Mr. Heninger. Our voices swelled with melodic enthusiasm, our faces brightly smiling, but evidently the stage director felt that his lighting should change at that time. Mr. Henninger 's brow furrowed, and he waited a few more beats and signaled for us to close . . We were scared we had done something terribly wrong as he very slowly turned to face the audience. "Why are you playing with the lights? It's very distracting! . . ." He paused, turned back to us and waited. And waited. Then as the lights came back up, he nodded, we got our pitch, and MAN ! We Wowed 'em.
Another time, as he conducted the All- San Diego, Honor Choir, There was confusion as to whether Schubert's Deutsche Mass was to be sung in English or German . . . over half of the other directors had practiced in English. Mr. Heninger said "Listen to how good it sounds in German: My people-- Sing!" he exclaimed; and we sang "Ehre, Ehre sei Gott in der Hohe", to the applause of the assembly. Striving for perfection and accuracy were hallmarks of Mr. Heninger's style. All of us who were privileged to sing withe him at PLHS and at Mesa, will never forget his life lessons.
I look forward to working under him again,in about 25 or so years, as he directs the Angels.

Sandra Kirk

April 27, 2009

To the Heninger Family.
I sang with Mr. Heninger in choir in my Junior and Senior year (1955 and 1956) at Pt. Loma. Mr. Heninger instilled a love of choral music that has lasted all my life. I have sung in Church choirs and Community Choirs for many years and always remember his instructions of how to breathe, sit and interpret the dynamics of any choral piece to convey the message of the music. He taught me to sing with joy and I've mentally thanked him many times for the discipline and high expectations he had for all of us. Please accept my sypathy in your loss. I know he has joined the heavenly choir making sounds of praise to God our maker. Sandra Jackson Kirk

Frank Almond

April 27, 2009

Robert Heninger served as an inspiration to countless students. Personally, he was a role model, at PLHS and for years thereafter. I treasure the times I spent with him.

Danna Patterson-Dyke

April 27, 2009

It was a priviledge to be a student of Mr. Heninger's in 1969 at Mesa College. He was always sensative to his students and would challenge us to step out and leave our performing comfort zones - he even had me performing solo on the piano in front of my music theory class after not having played since I was eight years old! He also became aware that attending college was a financial challenge for me and employed me in the music dept. to assist him by making me feel that I was the only one for the job. My deepest sympathy is extended to the entire Heninger family at the loss of this great man.

Naomi Russell (Fuller)

April 27, 2009

Mr Heninger was my favorite teacher and choir my favorite class. I always felt we sounded very professional with him at the helm. Class of 1953-1956

Anne Rosser

April 27, 2009

The music department was one of the stars in Pt. Loma's academic program. Although I played in the band, I thoroughly enjoyed the choral music concerts. My regards and sincere sympathy to the Heninger family.

Anne Stock

April 27, 2009

Mr. Heninger is probably the best teacher I ever had. Besides teaching choral music, he taught us to continually strive for perfection even though it was unattainable. I remember visiting the Heninger home in about 1957-58 with some other members of madrigals to see the new baby. Another fond memory is of our madrigal group singing one of Mr. Heninger's compositions at a composer's forum. My prayers are with you and your entire family. I will always have fond memories of the 3 years I spent in Mr. Heninger's classes.

Fernando Azevedo

April 26, 2009

My sincere sympathy to the Heninger family.
I have many fond memories of the chorus at PLHS. Three wonderful years 1955-57 under the watchful eyes and ears of the Maestro.
RIP Mr. H

John McCrea

April 26, 2009

This message comes -from the McCrea Family
Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Words cannot express how many memories we have. Please know we are with you in spirit.
Please call us at John and Gentria @ 619-469-5385. Please know all of the McCrea family is with you - many of our childhood memories are from the good times we shared. Love you all very much.
Carol Adine - 619-469-5385 - Please if you can let us know how you and your mother are doing - Love

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