Richard "Dick" Frederic Heinl

We have been neighbors in AZ with Dick & Diane since they moved in. We have enjoyed the camaraderie between us whether it be about Cougs or skinny dipping! Go Cougs!

Our children idolized their uncle Dick or Dickie Bird as they sometimes referred to him. Rich was 12 years, 3 months, 25 days old (Rich loved being specific and could remember numbers like nobody else) when Cammie was born in February 1961. When Brian came along a year and a half later, Dick had two little ones to cuddle and play with. When we returned from Germany in 1965 with Heidi, he immediately bonded with her, and then with Mark. They eagerly awaited any time they could spend with him.

When Dottie and I updated our wills, we decided that Uncle Dick would be the person we would want to raise our children if something happened to us. We wrote him a letter asking if he would be willing to do this. He was just 21 and a student at Washington State University. I have the letter which he sent to us postmarked August 10, 1969 with a six cent stamp sayin,g,“I want you to list my name in your will as guardian of the kids. I’m not saying it just because that’s what I think you you’d like to hear but because I really want to. If such a need came about that I would be in a position to be guardian, I am sure I would be able to handle everything.” What a commitment from a 21 year-old if he were to take on four children with the youngest being less than two years old. [Dick never got to take on this responsibility, but his sister and I always felt comfort knowing that the children would be well taken care of should something dire happen to both of us.]

Dick possesses parental instincts and love for children that few others have. we saw it as he raised his children and grandchildren. Dick is a very special person who made a great impression and positive impact upon many, many people. I am sorry his sister Dorothy has not been here to enjoy him the past 18 years,

My love goes out to Diane, Allan, Holly, Brian, and the rest of the family. Paul

With love, Paul.

I first met Dick in 1987 when he came to work for Hilton Hotels in the Western Regional Office. He was always so friendly and easy going that nothing seemed to faze him. I will always remember the days that we commuted to work and how we would make fun of the people around us on the freeway. I was shocked to learn of his passing as he was always doing something "healthy" to keep his athleticism going. I will truly miss him and wish that we had met up one last time.

Hey papa I wish I could have called you a little sooner one last time. I wish I got to measure my height on the stick one last time. I wish I got to hear your voice one last time, I wish I could hear “BOARCH” one last time, I wish we could have gone on another trip to somewhere. I wish we could go play bocce ball one more time. I wish we could talk about Washington states season one more time. I wish we could talk about how much we hate the HUSKIES one more time. I’m gonna miss talking to you papa and wished I took more advantage of the chances I got

- Love Deegster 🏈

This was the message I sent to papa after I heard the news. I miss him so so much and just overall shocked. So many people loved papa and looked up to papa, including me. I always loved going up to Roseville in Sacramento to go on big trips with the grandparents and cousins. I remember was when we went to all the different states on the west coast, saw some moose while heading out on the last day, stole a cool looking rock from the store and you guys found out and made me return it. I remember up going to Bryce Canyon and we went horseback riding with grandma, papa and the girls. Papa had his horse BIG POWER, I had tinkerbell and the others had silly names. I remember when we went to Canton Ohio to go see the NFL Hall of Fame. All the information I learned and the stuff papa and grandma told me about football. Seeing the crazy records and nfl facts and stats. I remember when me and papa were playing pass outside the hall of fame on their mini feild. There are so many things that papa and grandma have taught me, from no elbows on the tables, holding the spoon the right way, telling me not drinking soda, just caring for me. Even up to recently. Me and my best friend Owen were traveling all the way from Oceanside California to Knoxville Tennessee. We had to make stops on the way, we called grandpa and papa asking if it was okay if we were able to stay the night and leave in the morning. They gladly said yes, when we got there I introduced Owen to papa and grandma. (Mind you, I was already telling Owen how great papa and grandma was) We got settled down and played bocce ball down at the park. Papa and Grandma won the first game at the very end but me and Owen tied the series the second game. We came home and papa and grandma made up a beautiful meal that included roasted chicken, loaded baked potatoes, and bacon and syrup Brussels sprouts. When I told Owen the news of what happened, he was shocked and he was sad himself. Papa was respected and loved and cared for by so so soooo many people. I thank you for everything that you have done, all of the efforts and the the BOARCHES, thank you for being you papa. I love and miss you so much.

The picture I have attached is one of my favorites and the latest picture I have of Richard. It was taken on Christmas day 2025 and sent to me because of the confusion about the gifts he opened from Keith and I. I had filled out one of the cards wrong and one of the gifts was actually for Allan. I love the look on his face.

It is hard to imagine life without him. He and Diane were the reason I moved south. He actually saved my life here. My memories will have to be how he lives on with me and I have many. He was the "band aid" in our family that made us a family and was the last in line and in many ways, the best of us. He and I shared a tree house, we made mud pies, we rode an imaginary white cement horse, and we both dreamed of having a horse some day. We even saved up for one and I know I owe him something on that venture and I will be donating in his name to a rescue mission for burros that was near and dear to his and Diane's heart. Additionally, I will strive to be more like him. His morals were impeccable. I rarely, if ever, heard him swear. He was honest, a good Christian, honorable, trustworthy, loving, kind, disciplined, a competitor, loved a challenge, loved his family and as his neighbor recently said about him, "he participated in life." He set a very high bar. He will always be missed!

Uncle Richard was such a wonderful person-always smiling and so fun loving! I remember every time I saw him he would balance me on one hand and raise me up in the air when I was little. I thought he was so strong! He will be missed.

Wow, I have so manywords to share, yet never enough time. Losing such an amazing dad, papa, husband, and my #1 father-in-law has been truly hard. First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Richard and Diane for welcoming me into this family and trusting me with their daughter, Holly (Ghee).

I have some wonderful memories to cherish. One that stands out is from 1994 when Holly and I were dating. Richard and Diane invited me over for Thanksgiving dinner. I thought it was important to be there that evening, but I didn't realize I had to be on time. Oops! As it turned out, I was late, and that didn’t go over well. I learned a few valuable lessons that day: 1) Don't be late, 2) Don't make the cook (Diane) wait after dishing up, and 3) When Richard adds a leaf extension to the kitchen table for a guest, you better show up on time and with a smile. To this day, on some occasions during dinner, Richard would look over at me and say in his deep voice, "We will always add a leaf for you, Ruly," with a grin on his face! This made me realize how much those three lessons meant and that Richard and Diane accepted me as part of their family. I was honored to be part of Richard's family as his son-in-law, Ruly/Rooster. Thank you for all the great memories and those extra leaves over the years.

I was always impressed by how Richard could say, "It's only 364 days, 4 hours, 10 minutes, and 25 seconds until your next birthday, anniversary, or any special occasion." He had an incredible knack for numbers. He was AI  breaking it down from the month, day, to the minute, to thesecond. These special moments/date stamps that occurred or were going to occur wereamazing. I’m glad he never introduced fractions; I would have been lost!Thank You!

Richard would often ask me, "Hey, Raul, show me your latest and greatest projects you’re working on." He was genuinely interested and wanted to hear recaps about how things were going and to see pictures. His attention to detail and being a good listener made a lasting impression. Thank you for that.

Richard was kind and loving, with a deep voice and a formidable presence at 6’3”. He was a strong and tough man who hated losing at golf, bocce ball, or pickleball. No matter the card games we played, he taught my kids, Diego and Lilianna, to be tough, play with heart, and always give their best. He instilled in us grit and discipline. Thank you for those lessons.

One last thing: Although you may be gone and far away, I still feel you near. You will always be in my heart, and the memories we created together will be forever cherished. Thank you for being Richard, as I could never call you Dick. As the years passed and life moved on, my kids learned to call you Papa, and I realized that the most important thing is that you were also my Papa. Thank you for that.

I would like to raise a toast to you—a great man that I had the privilege to know! Salut!!!

God Has Plans And Your The Lucky One That You are beside Him!

"Dios te bendiga y en paz descanses"


Papa's favorite Drink!!  

RUM AND PEPSI
• 2 - 4 oz Rum (Spiced, White, or Gold)
• 3 to 4 oz Pepsi
Ice cubes

Uncle Dick was one of a kind! As our youngest uncle, we got to see him more growing up than our other aunts and uncles. He and Nannie would come to visit (he was still in high school when we were kids). He would carry all 4 of us kids around - 1 on each foot, and perhaps one on his shoulders and one in his arms. He'd lumber around the house like Frankenstein holding us all - and laughing!!! When my son Dylan was little, Uncle Dick danced around with him on his shoulders, too. He would read funny books to us and use the different voices in such an animated manner. His infectious laugh and cheery personality will be missed so much. . He made so many people happy and was beloved beyond belief. It's still so surreal. He was always the most gregarious one in the room, with humility and a smile - and that fabulous laugh. We will miss him dearly.

As his brother...all I can say is: he was by far the greatest guy of all time.

We loved visiting Arizona to hang out with Dick and Diane, they always made us feel welcome and we shared lots of laughs playing golf! Dick will be dearly missed!

To one of the greatest and most special guys I have ever known. Dick you are forever in my memories and heart! May God Bless all the Heinl family especially my best and forever friend Diane. Love you all!!

So many memories of my dad come flowing back to me. He was such a strong, selfless man who was always there with a warm hug or a big smile. Whenever you walked into a room, he made you feel truly special.

One of my favorite memories involves my birthdays. No matter how old I was getting, he had a unique way of counting my age. For example, when I turned 14, he would say, "Holly, you're two hands and four fingers." On my last birthday, when I turned 50, he joked, "Oh my gosh, Holly, I had to use both hands five times! You’re getting old; you’re over the hill." He always made me laugh, and he would even draw little hands and fingers in my cards to show how old I was.

Another great memory I have is his need for a "game plan." Whether we were doing chores, going outside to play, or leaving on a trip, we always had to have a plan for the day. To this day, I still make game plans because of him.


Dad you will be missed but I know you are always with us
I love you
Holly

The story of BORCH!!!
Growing up in Simi Valley, CA often we would drive past Borchard Avenue on the 101 freeway in Newbury Park, CA on our way to the beach. At the park n ride off the freeway at Borchard was place you could sell your used cars, trucks, RVs, boats and motorcycles. Dad knew the love I had for anything with an engine or trailer hitch so I started asking my dad on Saturday mornings to go to Borchard Avenue to check out them out. Ofcourse I'd bug him every weekend and he was so patient with my enthusiasm taking me every month it seemed. I think my father started to enjoy it too, as he began to ask me if I wanted to go without asking him. But dad liked to give everything a nickname so he began asking me if I wanted to go to Borch?
So Borch was born, it began without bravado, but in time it became deep from the chest BORCH! The family soon started adapting to our family call using it in crowded places like ball games or public gatherings. It would be common to yell it on chairlift if you saw any one skiing by as it was so unique. One of the many nicknames I'd call my dad was Borchman. The Chant of Borch has crossed family lines and many friends of mine would say it when they greeted my dad.
Stand up and say, "BORCH!"