Armin Paul Hegenheiser, Jr., age 84 was born on October 28, 1934 at Baptist Hospital in Memphis, TN to a German immigrant, Armin Paul Hegenheiser, Sr. and a Memphis girl, Evelyn Curtis Hegenheiser. He grew up in the oil fields of Texas, and was a 1952 graduate of Snyder High School, where he was President of his senior class, was involved in boxing, band and lettered in football. Armin joined the United States Air Force from 1952-1956, where he was stationed in Japan and Taiwan, and later became an Air Traffic Controller of the air base. He then returned to Memphis to work as an Air Traffic Controller with the Federal Air Administration, where he worked for 29 years. He also worked as a volunteer restoring The Memphis Belle.
It was here in Memphis where he met the love of his life, Clara Nell Dew of Curve, TN. They married on November 16, 1957. They enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 states, most of Europe as well as the Northern Marians, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Philippines and Thailand. A couple of their fondest memories were sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial watching the fireworks over the reflection pool and swimming the Great Barrier Reef. Armin also enjoyed many other hobbies such as water skiing, photography, fishing, camping and most of all, square dancing with his lovely bride.
One thing they loved more than traveling was their family. They had annual family vacations where they would camp around America enjoying their favorite family activities. His family describes his soft side as his love for his country, his family and most of all, his wife of 62 years.
Armin was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Richard Wayne Hegenheiser. He leaves behind his loving wife, Clara; two children, Paula Hegenheiser Works of Sanford, NC and Armin Paul Hegenheiser, III (Rita Poole Hegenheiser); five grandchildren, Charles Paul Works, Anna Claire Works, Taylor Dezrae Hegenheiser, April Dawn Carrington (Matthew H.), and Timothy Todd Silvers (Johna Daniella); and five great grandchildren, Madison Hogeland, Kaitlyn Brooke Carrington, Hailey Rose Carrington, Hayden Blake Silvers and Sadie Alexis Silver.
The family will receive friends on Friday, October 25 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. The funeral service with military honors will begin at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be private at a later date.
