Robert Arthur Hein

Robert attended schools in San Antonio, graduated from Brackenridge High School 1953, BS in Biology from Texas Lutheran College May 1957, and a BS from the University of Texas Pharmacy School in 1960. After graduation from TLC, he traveled the summer with Lutheran Mission Builders with graduates of Lutheran Colleges to California. While a student at UT he was active in the Lutheran Student Association where he met his wife, Nancy Tieken. They were married in Austin at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in a double wedding ceremony with Nancy’s sister, Betty, June 1959. They had 63 wonderful years of marriage.

After graduation from Pharmacy School, he began his career at Goliad Street Pharmacy, built by his dad in 1921 until the site was taken for HemisFair in l968. It was an interesting return to this store as he and his family grew up at this location until moving in 1946 to 313 W. Park Avenue. His pharmacy career included several drug stores: Lee’s Prescription Shop, Highland Park, The Pill Box, White Cross Pharmacy, Albertsons, retiring from HEB Oak Park Pharmacy in 2011 completing 52 years as a pharmacist. Robert was President of the Bexar County Pharmacy Association and served on their Speaker’s Bureau, active in the Texas Pharmacy Association, the National Retail Druggist Association and APHA. He donated pharmaceutical memorabilia to Incarnate Word School of Pharmacy Museum.

Robert, a lifelong Lutheran at St. John’s Lutheran Church, San Antonio, began attending the Cradel Roll, was baptized, and confirmed. His interest and joy was Bible Study comparing different bibles, having read the complete bible, teaching classes in both High School and Adults. He was deeply religious, taught the Bethel Bible series, was past president of the congregation, was a Stephens Minister, Eucharistic minister, loved the Lord, had a strong faith, and praised God with his good singing voice. Church was a big part of his life. He loved serving the Lord.

Robert was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather known as Papa to his grandchild and great-grandchildren. He was compassionate, just, kind, sincere, humble, supportive, courteous, generous, friendly, jovial with a good sense of humor, grateful and loving with a heart full of giving. He accepted people where they were on their life journey. He spoke the truth with love.

Robert’s joy of travel began when he joined his parents on annual trips to national Pharmaceutical Conventions from elementary school on. He started piano lessons in junior high and attended the St. Louis School of music to further piano lessons one summer traveling solo on the train. His parents took Robert and Nancy to Europe and then to Hawaii including Lisa for unforgettable tours. He looked forward to family travel including Hawaii, Canada, most of the states, National Parks, and New York City during the Christmas holidays. He and Nancy traveled extensively to Europe and enjoyed many Cruises. Their favorite was Hawaii calling them back many times where they enjoyed the beauty of the islands, their culture, and the Hawaiian music entertainment they found on each island. For many years, New York City was visited during the Christmas Holidays.

Robert was active in the VonRosenberg Family of Texas and their annual reunions, up to 100 attending, served as Chairman of the Publications Committee which translated The Letters of the VonRosenberg and Meerscheidt Families” Ancestral Voices” from 1844-1897 from German to English. For years as Treasurer, he sold, mailed and distributed published volumes of books on the VonRosenberg Family placing them in various libraries in Texas. Robert’s grandfather, Paul Meerscheidt and his brother, subdivided a section of the King William area where several lived.

Robert was a member of The State Association of Texas Pioneers,” escorting his wife who served as The Lady Chairman of the 2019 Fiesta Ball just as he had done for his mother, Paula Hein, for the 1952 State Association of Texas Pioneers Grand Ball when his father was the President.

The Hein/Meerscheidt/Tieken families had traditions which flourished after their marriage. The joy of celebrations for Birthdays, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas with extended family and friends continued for many years.

Wonderful remembrances of 12 gathered around the Thanksgiving Table, where prized recipes were enjoyed. After Christmas Eve candlelight church service, family and friends gathered at their home for refreshments and singing of Christmas carols. Many years Robert played the piano for this event as he sang along with everyone. The tradition of singing both in German and English continued after parents died, then “The Four Tenors” was formed to sing in German “O Christmas Tree” and the first verse of “Silent Night.” The small Christmas Carol books and printed sheets of “O Tannenbaum” and “Stille Nacht” were always used. The joy of these holidays was being with family and friends.

Robert entered The Forum at Lincoln Heights Memory care October 2021 where he greeted the residents, enjoyed participating in activities, liked singing with the residents daily, was grateful, content, and delighted in the delicious meals. Nancy’s daily visits were fun and lively playing dominoes, cards and enjoying being together looking at vacation pictures. The family is grateful and thankful for the kind and good care at the Forum at Lincoln Heights BTR and for Jack Love and Adela as compassionate and devoted caregivers prior to his move to The Forum.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy T. Hein; daughter, Elizabeth Hein Mason; granddaughter, Julie Ann Mason; great grandchildren, Theodore and Taylor Mason; friends and relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paula Meerscheidt Hein and Henry F. Hein and his brother, Henry M. Hein.

Robert will lay instate on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Porter Loring Mortuary.

CELEBRATION OF LIFETHURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2022

11:00 A.M.

ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

502 E. NUEVA STREET, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS 78205

For those unable to attend, a livestream of the service will be available at www.stjohnssa.org

Reception to follow in Church Memorial Hall. Interment after reception at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, Texas, 78218.

Those who wish to honor his memory the family suggests memorials be made to:

Christian Assistance Ministry110 McCullough AvenueSan Antonio, Texas 78215

World HungerEvangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaELCA Gift Processing CenterP.O. BOX 1809Merrifield, VA 22116-8009

St. John’s Lutheran Church - Betty Tieken Pieper Memorial Scholarship Fund502 E. Nueva StreetSan Antonio, TX 78205

Or to the charity of their choice.