Heinz Gietz

1920 - 2017

Heinz Gietz 1920 - 2017 La Jolla Heinz Gietz, a La Jolla local, snappy dresser, Mercedes-Benz enthusiast and devoted family man, passed away at his summer home in Schotten, Germany. He spent his final day with Ilse, his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, picking out flowers at the nursery, charming family and friends at the dinner table, and taking an evening stroll through the neighborhood.Heinz arrived in La Jolla in the 1960's and opened Heinz Geitz Autohaus, Inc. on Virginia Way in 1969. A family business, Heinz worked side by side with Ilse, their daughter, Sonja, and eventually his grandson, Dieter-Heinz. He loved his community and became an active member of the Rotary Club of La Jolla and the Mercedes-Benz Club. A proud German, he was one of the founding fathers of the German American Society and returned home to Schotten every summer. In 1989, he was honored by the German government with the Bundesverdienstkreuz, the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.Heinz was born in Frankfurt, Germany. World War II and service in the German Army interrupted his automotive career. He spent four years in a Russian prison camp. Returning to Frankfurt after the war, he continued his passion for automobiles. It was this passion for Mercedes-Benz that brought his family to Chicago in 1952. He was a race team manager for Augie Pabst and passed that love of racing to his grandson.An inspired storyteller, Heinz loved long, leisurely meals, surrounded by family, life-long friends and new friends he so warmly welcomed. He had a sparkling sense of humor and was blessed with good health all of his 97 years. He is survived by his wife Ilse; daughter, Sonja; grandson Dieter-Heinz Kijora (Heather); great-granddaughters, Liesl and Karlyn; and sister, Anneliese Kiesler.In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to the American Heart Association. Please sign the guest book online at legacy.com/obituaries/ lajollalight .