Thomas R. Heitschmidt

From a West Seattle Starbuck's customer...
Loved Tom!! The guy was just so effervescent! I can't say that I ever saw him cranky or complain about anything in the zillions of times (every morning for years) he greeted me in Starbucks. We loved him so much that we had to make a couple of trips to the downtown Starbucks just to see him after he left the West Seattle store. What a great example he was. I like to think that God thought "you know, Tom has done his job on earth, I need him up...

I worked with Tom at the Admiral Starbucks 5-6 years ago and just found out today of his passing. He was extremely enjoyable to work with and you needed a sense of humor when we both arrived there many times at 4am to prepare to open! He was a genuinely nice person and I was quite happy when we were scheduled on the same shift because I knew there would be lots of laughs. He often spoke to me fondly of his parents and his 'aunties'.
My sincere condolences to his family.

Jan...

I worked with Tom at the Admiral store. I remember his great sense of humor.I missed him when he left our store to go downtown. He is in a better place now and in good health. Mo more worries over that.
To Tom's family my thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
carmen munoz (West Seattle, WA)

From dancing to “PARTY Doll, jumping on your bed, to Lynda and I scaring you and all of us laughing, we are already missing you desperately. Your personality and great sense of humor, like your mom’s was loved and appreciated by all who your life touched.
We love you and are sure you are in the arms of angels with your mom and dad.
I love you, and you will be in my heart for ever.
Louise

I knew Tom since high school and lived across the street from him in West Seattle a few years back. Tom would be out practicing chip shots in his yard or on the parking strip. We'd talk and cover a myriad of subjects. I always wanted to clean his place up a little, but there was a system there, it was great to see it in action. A place for everything and everything all over the place.
He was the genuine article; always cared for others through word and deed. Constant good humor and good...

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome...

My cousin Tom...
Imagine my surprise today when I found your obituary in the Times - and my sadness at losing you twice. It is a reminder of how precious life is - and that each moment here is a gift. God has you now in his infinite love, and you are forever in my memory.