Henry J. Bodenheimer

1938 - 2024

Henry J. Bodenheimer died on November 6, 2024, at his home, surrounded by family. A true son of New Orleans, Henry was born at Touro Infirmary on October 23, 1938, the only child of Louis and Adele Bodenheimer (née Lee). Henry attended Isidore Newman School where he lettered in four sports and was a member of Newman's first state championship basketball team. After graduating from Tulane University in 1960, Henry served as a US Naval officer in the Pacific for two years. Upon his return to New Orleans in 1962, he began his career at the family insurance business, which, through a merger, became Kessler-Bodenheimer. The firm grew to be one of the largest in the area before its acquisition by Corroon & Black (Willis) in 1980. By far, the most successful partnership of his life was his marriage to Nini Adler. Henry met Nini in 1965 when he was set up on a blind date with a young woman visiting from Memphis, TN. They became engaged after just four dates. Their abbreviated courtship was the prelude to a 58-year marriage that produced three children and one grandchild. After leaving the insurance industry, Henry began a second career as an investment advisor and later helped found Equitas Capital Advisors, now among the largest independent investment consulting firms in Louisiana. Throughout life, Henry was a passionate supporter of many civic organizations. He served as president of the Sugar Bowl, where he was especially proud of his work to promote equity. He was also a member of the President's Council at his Alma mater, Tulane University, and served on the Board at Touro Infirmary. A lifelong athlete and competitor, Henry played in senior golf and tennis tournaments across the South. When he finally slowed down, he earned the ranking of Ruby Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League. For the last twenty-five years, Henry and Nini split time between homes in Burnsville, NC and New Orleans and enjoyed a small army of friends in each community. Henry will be remembered for his remarkable ability to connect with people. To him, no one was a stranger - just a friend he had yet to make. He could strike up a conversation with practically anyone (he did) greeting every acquaintance with a smile and by their first name. If you were fortunate enough to sit next to Henry at an athletic event, you were sure to leave with a wealth of sports knowledge and probably a new best friend. A people person to the end, he befriended a sizable portion of the New Orleans medical community in his last years, lovingly joking with his nurses as he queried his doctors about where they had gone to school. Henry lived a full life into his 80s, even while being treated for kidney disease and cancer. In the end, he was very much at peace and filled with as much strawberry ice cream as he could eat. He is survived by his beloved wife Nini Bodenheimer (née Adler), his children: daughter Carey, of Los Angeles, CA, son Peter, of Brooklyn, NY, son Neal, daughter-in-law, Kea Sherman and granddaughter, Hayden, all of New Orleans. He will be truly missed by his family and many friends, far and wide. In lieu of flowers, his family encourages you to strike up a conversation with a stranger or find a way to connect with someone you encounter in daily life. A memorial service will take place at Touro Synagogue 4238 St. Charles Ave on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 2pm with visitation at 1pm. Interment will be private. Memorials can be made in Henry's name to the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans or the Mountain Air Community Fund.