Peter Charles Heinz
Date Of Birth: 09/30/1955
Date of Death: 07/15/2013
Peter Charles Heinz, longtime office-equipment account executive, died July 15 at the age of 57.
Born in Portland’s Emanuel Hospital on Sept. 30, 1955, Peter, the youngest of four children, distinguished himself as a top salesman in cities that ranged from San Diego to Chicago before returning to live in Portland one year ago.
Peter attended St. Mary’s Cathedral and St. Thomas More grade schools, and Jesuit High School, before heading to Gonzaga University in Spokane for a degree in Communications.
Peter initially worked for national defense contractors in San Diego and Denver. At one point his section dealt with NASA’s Manned Maneuvering Unit astronaut-propulsion system. Peter gravitated into the field of office-equipment sales and worked for several companies over more than two decades. He received many annual awards for outstanding performance.
Peter had a grand style with people. Almost any conversation turned into laughs. He loved music and sports, especially the Oakland Raiders, and over the years he variously embraced everything from golf and gardening to cooking, boating and barbecuing.
Peter is survived by his parents, Joseph and Eleanor Heinz of Portland, and his two grown children, Ryan Heinz of Durango and Jennifer Jacobsen of Littleton, Colorado; Jennifer’s husband, Adam Jacobsen; and Peter’s two grandsons, Jones and Jax.
Peter’s survivors also include his sister, Laure Heinz of Taos, N.M., his brothers, Todd Heinz of Ontario, Oregon, and Spencer Heinz of Portland; and Todd’s and Spencer’s wives, Vicki and Wendy Heinz.
Single in recent years, Peter was married twice, first to Karen Fleming, the mother of his two children, and then to Amy Heinz for 20 years.
A funeral Mass for Peter is scheduled for 1 p.m. Sunday, July 21, in St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 3525 S.W. Patton Road, Portland, Oregon.
Contributions may be made in Peter’s name to the Good Samaritan Foundation, 1015 NW 22nd Ave., Portland, Oregon 97210, phone (503) 413-4864; or to St. Thomas More Catholic School, 3521 SW Patton Road, Portland, Oregon 97221.