Kenneth W. Heinrich

Heinrich, Kenneth W.
Menasha

My best half left this world unexpectedly on November 13 at the age of 55, but hopefully now he has found his peace. For once, he won't have to help me find my keys, go home to retrieve an important paper I left behind, or make sure I'm not going out the door wearing two different color shoes. What a saint! He could take a mother's 10 minute lecture to her children and boil “blah-blah-blah” down to a profound one-liner that would guide his two boys for a lifetime. What a father! Ken was owner and administrator of the Gmeiner Clinic for Communication Disorders and Learning disAbilities for 30 years. While his employees got all the credit for their wonderful work with children and adolescents, it was Ken who sat at the reception window or on the phone (sometimes for hours!) listening to the many moms and dads share their worries, fears, and frustrations about a world that did not seem to understand their children. What compassion! He did not care if the person was going to be a paying client—if they had a story to tell, a joy to share, or a tear to shed, he was all ears and heart. What a kind man! He also passed the most difficult test of all… the approval of his father-in-law. After discounting every potential life mate I brought home for inspection, when he met Ken, my father turned to me and said, “Now this one, honey, will truly love you” –and Ken did. What an incredible husband and very best friend. Who will I laugh and banter with now? I think we still can and will because you are forever in the deepest part of my soul.

Ken was born in Chicago on June 12, 1953, the son of John and Alice Heinrich. On July 12, 1980 he married his wife of 28 years, Ann Gmeiner Heinrich. Ken loved his twin sons who loved him in turn—especially his dry sense of humor.

Ken is survived by his wife, Ann Gmeiner-Heinrich; twin sons, Jonathan and Patrick Heinrich; loving mother, Alice Heinrich; sister, Jan (Larry) Grider; and the most devoted older brother, Rich Heinrich. Ken is preceded in death by his father, John Heinrich.

He loved golf, especially when he could play with his hilarious friend Rick Getschow. He treasured the peace and quiet he had fishing up north with his cherished Irish Wolfhound Sam. And of course there is Ken's best friend Bruce Paldowic, someone who could make him laugh that unique laugh that only a very special friend can elicit.

The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at the Wichmann Funeral Home, Tri-County Chapel, with Deacon Maury Reed officiating. Friends will be received at the funeral home on Monday from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in Ken's name is being established.

Wichmann Funeral Home
Tri-County Chapel
3212 South Oneida Street
Appleton, WI 54915
(920)831-9905