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1948
2012
(News article) A high school and college track star who became an Air Force pilot instructor, an Ohio Air National Guard officer, and a commercial airline pilot, John Heinrich died Sunday in Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg Township. He was 64.
Mr. Heinrich of Springfield Township retired Oct. 1 as a Delta Air Lines captain. He planned to buy a small airplane in the spring. He and his wife wanted to take a trip each month. They returned from their first, a trip to the Napa Valley in California, on Oct. 27. He was found the next day suffering the effects of a brain aneurysm, his wife, Lisa, said.
Mr. Heinrich golfed. The couple were scuba divers - "and he was a workout fanatic," his wife said. "He was in the most phenomenal shape of any 64-year-old man you'd ever want to meet."
He also was a vice president and senior financial adviser with the Heinrich-Kamal Group, affiliated with Merrill Lynch. He worked with pilots to plan their retirement finances.
"He was always so good with numbers, and he thoroughly enjoyed it," his wife said. "He cared about people."
He was born July 10, 1948, to Lena and Ralph Heinrich and grew up in West Toledo. He was a graduate of Start High School and, while there, specialized in high and low hurdles on the track team and competed in state championships. He also played football, but he attended Ohio State University on a track-and-field scholarship.
He was in ROTC at Ohio State and he became a second lieutenant in the Air Force after graduation, said his former wife, Sharon Looney. He was a fighter pilot instructor during the Vietnam War and was stationed at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi.
"He was very patient and very good teaching his students how to fly," she said. "John was always dedicated to whatever he was involved in."
He had a master's degree from Mississippi State University.
Back in Toledo, he was a lieutenant colonel in the 180th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard based at Toledo Express Airport. He was flying F-16 fighter jets when he retired in 1994, but for much of his Air Guard career, he flew A-7s.
As a fighter pilot, Mr. Heinrich maintained the focus of an athlete, said Kent Ernsberger, also a retired lieutenant colonel with the 180th.
"He was always very fit and prepared to fly missions," Mr. Ernsberger said. "He lived life to the fullest. He was very, very outgoing, and when you were in the presence of John, there were going to be a lot of laughs."
Mr. Heinrich's commercial airline career dated to the 1980s, when he was hired by the former Northwest Airlines, which later merged with Delta.
Surviving are his wife, Lisa, whom he married June 14, 1991; sons, Don and Joseph; sisters, Marilyn Stapleton and Susan Broeren, and two grandsons.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. today in the Heritage Church of God, Monclova Township, where he was a member.
The family suggests tributes to Pilots for Kids in White Lake, Mich., the Toledo Area Humane Society, or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.
Contact Blade staff writer Mark Zaborney at: [email protected] or 419-724-6182.
51 Entries
Still can´t believe you´re gone John. Thanks for all the good times.
Tim Thompson
Tim Thompson
Friend
January 22, 2023
It´s been 10 years and I think about you often and so wish I could see you and talk to you. Miss you and love you very much. Your sister, Susan
Susan Broeren
December 5, 2022
Susan Broeren
May 8, 2019
Susan Broeren
May 8, 2019
Susan Broeren
May 8, 2019
Susan Broeren
May 8, 2019
Dear Lisa -
I was in the process of heading down to Ohio State from Cleveland for a yearly visit to walk around the campus. John was my roommate at OSU our freshman year at Morrill Tower dormitory in 1966. Just out of curiosity I Googled his name and was shocked to find his obituary. He was a great guy and a terrific roommate. I remember he trained by running up and down the Ohio Stadium steps. He had a great sense of humor. I am so sorry for your loss.
Art Goldstein
May 6, 2019
I worked with John at U.S. Aviation Underwriters . I'm so very sorry for your loss. John was a good friend of mine back then. We lost touch over the years, but I thought of him from time to time. I was shocked to say the least , when seeing this obit . One of the things I remember most, was his wonderful sense of humor and beautiful smile. I'm so very very sorry for your loss ....take care .
Bridget Ramlow
February 6, 2015
I'm so sorry for your loss! I was also a Northwest pilot, flew with John on the 727, and also retired Oct 1st which also happened to be my 54th birthday. He was great to fly with and always had a good attitude. Again, sorry for your loss.....he will be missed Andy Faust [email protected]
February 25, 2013
Lisa,
So sorry to hear of your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Tim & Jackie Tillman
December 16, 2012
Lisa,
Just know you are in my thoughts,I had so many good times waiting on you and John when you came to "The Restaurant" in Sylvania, he will so be missed.
Bob Cook
December 15, 2012
I'm going to miss teasing John about washing his already clean car... and watching him walk around with his birds on his shoulders. He will be greatly missed. We love you Lisa! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of the family. Amy, Madison & Kaylee
December 14, 2012
John was not only an All City track star, he was MVP his senior year. He also made the All City team in football as a halfback and was our team's punter as well. He was game MVP in a 15-0 win over Rogers in '65. So sad to see his passing. He was always very helpful to me in both sports. He and family will be in our prayers.
Mel DeMars
December 14, 2012
Lisa,
We were surprised and saddened to learn of John's passing. We have fond memories of John and you and our days at Vic Tanney's/ Balley's where we all worked out and spent hours talking and kidding around. With deepest sympathy
Sam & Betty Bolotin
December 14, 2012
Lisa, I'm so very sorry to hear of John's recent illness and death. My prayers are with you and your family.
Karen Decker Fuller
December 13, 2012
To my brother who I loved with all my heart and always will. May you be in a better place that is loving happy and peaceful. Until I see you again please stay close to me. God bless you. Susan
Susan Broeren
December 13, 2012
Lisa We are so shocked to hear of John's passing. His love of Flying and Fast nice cars brought us all together! What a great person!! Our Thoughts and Prayers are with you and the family!!
Paul Devers and the Vin Devers Autohaus Family
December 13, 2012
So sorry to hear of John's passing. John and my brother, George were in the same class at Start and both in the ANG unit in Toledo. There is a great picture of John as a hurdler in the 1966 Start HS yearbook.Great athlete.
John Mac Ritchie
December 13, 2012
We are so sorry for your loss Lisa. I flew with John at the Toledo ANG. He was an excellent pilot and and a person of integrity.
Ralph Lange
December 12, 2012
Saddened and shocked to hear of John's passing. Flew with him in the Guard in the 80's. Unique man. Proud to serve with him.
Don Thompson
December 12, 2012
Dear Lisa,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. John was a good man and will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Barrie and Bob Howell
December 12, 2012
Lisa and family, our prayers are with you during this difficult time. Peace and Love, Wilhelms
Mary Jo & Tybo Wilhelms
December 12, 2012
Lisa, Joe, and the Heinrich family:
Please accept our deepest condolences over your sudden and tragic loss. There is little that can console you now, but know you are in our prayers.
Michelle & John Glanville
December 12, 2012
So sad to hear about the lose of John.It seems like I was just in Toledo for the reunion,really to visit WallyFritz at hospice.Losing two buddies from school is hard in such a short time.All 3 of us would play B-ball till midnight, night after night at John's home.Also in that group of guys was Kim( the White Flash)Gray.He lived across the street from John.We watched the NCAA B-ball game between mighty Michigan with CazzieRussel and this little team from UCLA with this little guard named Gail Goodrich.I that emotion that Denny Todak said about John playing the dash board.And we all loved John's mom,dad,and Sue.And all 3guys are gone.But NEVER forgotten.Sadness.
Jimmy(Jade) East
December 12, 2012
Dear Lisa and Family,
Sending our deepest sympathy to you and your family during this very difficult time. We hope you find comfort in all of the wonderful memories you shared. You and John were very kind to Lori and I and we will miss John dearly.
All our love,
Greg Meyers & Lori Moffitt
Greg Meyers
December 12, 2012
Lisa;
I was saddened to hear of John's passing. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Dan Schmitt
December 12, 2012
Lisa, Our deepest condolences at this difficult time. May God comfort you in the coming days and weeks.
Holly and Shelley Hollister
December 12, 2012
Although Hope and I had just gotten to know John over the past couple of years, it was never a secret he was very impassioned about everything he enjoyed in life and lived it full-speed. He was a good man, a exlemplary patriot and will be truly missed.
Dan and Hope Finch
December 12, 2012
We did have some goods times, you will be missed
Lori Trosin
December 12, 2012
To The Heinrich Family,
Many of John's fellow classmates, who regularly keep in touch, were very saddened to hear of another of our fellow classmates, class of '66, has left us. Our sincere sympathy on your loss. Our prayers are with you all.
Lois Aey
December 12, 2012
Lisa, please know you are in our prayers. John was always fun and had a story to tell. He will be missed.
Dick and Marci Fuller
December 11, 2012
Thoughts and prayers go out to everyone who got to know John. John was always a true gentleman and outstanding AF fighter pilot who loved his country.
Pam Schwarzkopf
December 11, 2012
John and I ran hurdles together at Start. John placed 1st and I was second in the 1966 district met in both the highs and lows. I was just thinking of him the other day as i was listening to "good lovin" by the Rascals. John was driving some of us to me meet and was beating the heck out of the dash and steering wheel as it played. Both you and he are in my prayers.
Denny Todak Start Class of '66
December 11, 2012
Dear Lisa:
Please know that you have out deepest sympathy on the loss of John. I know that there is little we can say to console you but please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this tragic time.
Love,
Patrice and Paul
December 11, 2012
Through the years I remember so many pleasant locker room and workout conversations with John at the "Bally's" club on Monroe Street, which closed in late November 2008. What a handsome fellow, very gracious and direct. John always made me feel like we were good friends when we were mere acquaintances. He had that style. God bless, John.
Tuffy Reason
December 11, 2012
Lisa, we were so sorry to hear of your husband's death. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sarah & Joe Lapp
December 11, 2012
John,
To be always missed but never forgotten....
Lisa
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family...
Love
Debbie Kesler
December 11, 2012
Lisa,Joe, sorry for your loss !
Bob Taylor
December 11, 2012
Lisa I was saddened to hear of John's passing. I hate the fact that we are family and it seems that the only time we see each other is at funerals. I am out of town for the week but wanted you to know I am thinking of you and your family. Please take care of yourself.
Love,
Victoria (Stough) Howell and Jim Howell
Victoria and Jim Howell
December 11, 2012
Lisa,
I am so very sorry for your loss. John was a great guy to fly with, and I always looked forward to the many trips we had. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mark Trankina
December 11, 2012
John was truly one-of-a-kind. A champion, an achiever, a really nice guy. I am honored to have known him. He will be sorely missed. Lisa, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Fred and Valerie White
December 11, 2012
Lisa,
John was a person who embraced life to it's fullest. He enriched the lives he touched. My deepest condolences on John's passing. You and your family are in my prayers in this time of sorrow.
Dennis Stephens
December 11, 2012
We are so sorry for your loss. John was a great man who loved his family. He will be missed by many.
The Sears'
Sarah Sears
December 11, 2012
Lisa - my deepest sympathy to you during this difficult time. Prayers are being said daily for you and your family.
Beth Hoye
December 11, 2012
John, You always had a smile on your face and a story to tell when we would run into each other. I enjoyed the time we worked together at Shearson Lehman Bros. I was in your office or you in mine bouncing ideas off of each other. It was a pretty crazy time, but we got through it. Lisa my deepest sympathies to you. I know you two had a special connection that we could all see. Robb Thomas
December 11, 2012
My sincere regrets to John's family. As a friend of John's he added flavor and fun to many of our lives. The world will be a less exciting place! With love and kindest personal regard...Monica Malhoit
December 11, 2012
Lisa,
We are so sorry for your loss. Our deepest sympathies go out to you and the rest of your family. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dave & Sherry
Dave & Sherry Rollins
December 11, 2012
My deapest condolences on John's passing. I am so saddened by this news. May God bless you at this time of sorrow.
Moufid Hazzouri
December 11, 2012
Lisa & Joe & family, there is nothing I can say or do at this difficult time to ease the loss of John but our prayers and thoughts are with you always. Very sorry. Robin & Greg
Robin O'Connor
December 11, 2012
Our sincere sympathies, The Robert C. Hunt family.
December 11, 2012
I will truly miss my good friend!
Russell Beamish
December 11, 2012
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