Gary Gene Heidinger
Date Of Birth: 08/25/1944
Date of Death: 07/17/2013
Gary was born in a sod house near Kulm, North Dakota on August 25th, 1944. He was the second son to Richard and Alvina Heidinger. His family moved to a farm near Verona, North Dakota where Gary spent his childhood. He graduated from Verona High School in 1962, after which he joined and served in the Navy from August of 1962 until he was honorably discharged in August of 1968. He attended Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon during some of that time, and received an Associate of Science degree.
He wed Judith Leppert of Merricourt, North Dakota on December 28th, 1969. They moved to Beaverton, Oregon and raised their four daughters there. Gary worked from 1968 until his retirement in 2001 at Tektronix/Morrison-Knudsen. He enjoyed flying in his spare time and worked as a part-time flight instructor. He also enjoyed biking and camping with his family.
He is survived by his loving wife, Judith Heidinger of Beaverton, OR, and his four daughters, Naomi (Alex) Calle of Allen, TX; Nicole (Gabe) Ripley of Sandpoint, ID; Heather (Nick) Tyrrell of Vancouver, WA; and Michelle (Bryan) Heinrichs of Hillsboro, OR; Six grandchildren Ava, Lauren, and AJ Calle; Miranda Ripley; Lilah and Faith Tyrrell; and an expected grandson. He is also survived by his mother, Alvina Heidinger of Edgeley, ND, and his five brothers, Roger, Glenn, Jim, Bruce, and Cory.
He is preceded in death by his father, Richard Heidinger, and his sister-in-law, Lynn Heidinger.
A memorial will be held Wednesday July 24th at 1pm at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Beaverton, OR. Private burial will be Thursday July 25th at Willamette National Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Washington County, 900 SE Oak St. Suite 202, Hillsboro, OR 97123 or St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 12405 SW Butner Road, Beaverton, OR 97005.
So sorry to hear about your loss. You are in mg thoughts and prayers. I wish we could make it for the service, he was a great man.
Take care Judy and family. Gary was a wonderful man and will be sorely missed. Know that he is now in heaven, pain free and singing amongst the angels. My heart goes out to you all at this very sorrowful time. Thoughts, prayers and many ((((hugs)))) go out to you all.
One of my first small aircraft flights was in 1978 when Gary flew down to Corvallis and took me for a ride. I will always remember that.
Dustin
I remember Gary for the many times we did things together.
He will be missed by all.Love and Hug.