John F. Heinz

John F. Heinz
John F. Jack Heinz, a native of Allentown, died peacefully on October 24, 2011 at age 85 after a short illness. He was attended at his bedside by his wife of 63 years, Patricia, and by many members of his family. Mr. Heinz was a member of Allen High School Class of 1943. He was commissioned a Navy ensign, saw action aboard ship in the Pacific and later served as a first lieutenant in the Marine Corps Reserve. Mr. Heinz graduated from Brown University in 1947, where he lettered in football and wrestling. He graduated from the University Of Pennsylvania School of Law in 1950, but rather than pursue a career in the legal profession he followed his passion for writing. In 1951 Mr. Heinz joined Bethlehem Steel Corporation in the Publications Department. In 1961 he assumed executive speech writer responsibilities, leading to a career as a distinguished speech writer, author of a regular column on speechwriting and a book on writing effective business speeches. Following his retirement from Bethlehem Steel in 1983 Mr. Heinz became a Vice President at the public relations firm of Hill and Knowlton. He subsequently joined Inland Steel in Chicago, IL as communications manager. Mr. Heinz retired in 1989, but he never stopped writing: he was a man of words, devoting his life to writing, word play, verse and speaking. The writing of light verse was a lifelong love. Survivors: Mr. Heinz is the son Frank and Barbara (Bartsch) Heinz; and is survived by his wife, Patricia, of Audubon, PA; his brother, Robert, of Newark, DE; his sons, Peter, and his wife, Elizabeth, of Redmond, WA, Steven, and his wife, Kay Ellen, of State College, PA, Tony, and his wife, Sarah, of Philadelphia, PA; and a daughter, Kristina, of San Diego, CA. He is also survived by ten grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Services: 1 p.m., Friday, October 25, at Trexler Funeral Home, 1625 Highland St., Allentown. Calling 12:30 to 1 p.m. in the funeral home. www.trexlerfuneralhome.com. Interment to follow service at Grandview Cemetery, Allentown. Contributions: may be made to an animal shelter in his name.