Richard W Heinlen

Richard William Heinlen passed away peacefully, after a life full of adventure, on April 7, 2022 at the age of 93. Richard ("Dick"), son of Richard and Emilie Heinlen, was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 4, 1928. He had an older sister, Donna Joanne, and several years later his brother, Duane Joseph ("DJ") was born. Dick graduated from the University of Detroit (U of D) Jesuit High School, U of D College with a Master's degree in biology, as well as U of D School of Dentistry. Within a month of graduating from dental school in 1955, Dick married Catherine Louise Lauff. Their honeymoon was along the drive to San Antonio, Texas where he completed basic training for the U.S. Army. Dick became a Captain in the Army providing dental services for troops stationed in Germany after WW II. During the three years Dick and Cathie lived in Germany, their first two children were born and they were able to visit several other western European countries.



Upon returning to Michigan in 1958, Dick established his dental practice in Farmington Hills working in this office until his retirement in 1990. He felt grateful to be able to design and build a lovely home on Upper Long Lake where he and Cathie raised their six children. Dick was known for his good sense of humor, sharing anecdotes and limericks, as well as hosting family and friends on the lake with its many activities: swimming and boating in the summer in addition to skating and sledding in the winter.



Dick had a life-long interest in skiing, golfing, hunting, photography, and travel. He planned many interesting family vacations across the U.S. with the family often camping in National Parks along the way. After Dick retired, he and Cathie purchased an Airstream trailer and explored more of North America as well as Central America and several other international destinations. He appreciated craftsmanship as well as completing projects around the house. When on their trips, Dick and Cathy would support local and indigenous people which filled their home with many unique items. Dick could tell you where they purchased almost every item and often a bit about the craftsperson.



Dick learned to ski while in college in the late 1940s, when the ski industry was just getting started in Michigan. After classes on Friday, he would transport goods to Boyne Mountain in northern Michigan in exchange for a cot to sleep on and a trail pass. When traveling in the early spring months after retirement, Dick and Cathie typically camped in the Airstream near ski areas in Colorado and Utah. During the golf season in Michigan, he played for many years as part of a Thursday "international" golf league (named so because they played a round of golf in Canada every year). Dick developed an interest in marksmanship in the Army and learned to hunt in Europe. He was in the northern Michigan woods on opening day of deer hunting for over 45 years. After his beloved Cathie passed away in 2007, Dick started to spend the cold weather months at Travelers Rest in Florida where he golfed on its nine-hole golf course as recently as May of 2021.



Dick and Cathie especially appreciated holidays and times when their family was together. They were proud to raise six children, Karen, Nancy, Mary, Suzanne, John, and Margaret as well as to be able to provide a Catholic education. Dick was also pleased to assist in the education of his 15 grandchildren: Shannon, Matthew, Katherine, Colin, Seraphina, Elizabeth, Madeline, Summer, Kristen, Alexander, Eric, Samantha, Grant, Bruce, and Silas.



A Memorial Mass will take place this summer in Michigan. If you would like to make a contribution in Dick's memory, please consider the Capuchin Soup Kitchen (cskdetroit.org), the University of Detroit Mercy (udmercy.edu), or another charity that is of special significance to you.

Arrangements are entrusted to the Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad St. in Plattsburgh, NY, (518) 561-3980. Online condolences may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com.