Bob was preceded in death by his father, Robert L. Heintz; mother, Margaret “Tat” Heintz (Munt); and brother, Jeff Heintz. Bob is survived by his wife, Constance “Connie” Heintz (Johnson); children, Robert (Kristine) Heintz of Grandville, Ryan Heintz of DeWitt, Kristine (Shawn) Bowen of Hartland; his eight grandchildren, Tyler, Sara and Katie Bowen, Brendan Bender, Zach and Regan Heintz, and Ryan and Casey Heintz; and two great grandchildren, Bowan and Kenley Bender. Also, Bob is survived by his brothers Mike (Margo) Heintz and Joe (Linda) Heintz of Mt. Pleasant, Dan (Cheryl) Heintz of Grand Rapids, Pat (Leslee) Heintz of Traverse City and his sisters Rochelle (Jim) Flake of Fenton and Kathy Fountain of Grand Ledge.
Bob was born in Mt. Pleasant Michigan on August 6, 1944 to Robert and Margaret “Tat” Heintz. He attended Sacred Heart Academy and Central Michigan University where his passion to play football was fulfilled. Professionally, Bob started his career at Total Petroleum in Alma, Michigan in the Marketing and Sales area. As Bob and Connie started their family in Mount Pleasant, his career path transitioned to the healthcare industry working in sales and marketing for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan in Mt. Pleasant. He and Connie moved their family to DeWitt where Bob became Marketing Director of Health Central which later became Blue Care Network HMO in the Lansing area. From there, Bob led the BCBSM Major Groups division managing some of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s largest accounts. Bob ended his career on the provider side of the business at Ingham Regional Medical Center (now known as McLaren Lansing) as the Vice President of Development and at the Michigan State University School of Osteopathic Medicine from which he retired in 2019.
While Bob had a strong drive professionally, throughout his 77 years Bob’s true pride and passion were his family. First and foremost was the love and admiration for his wife of 56 years. She was his rock. In addition to his wife Connie, he was always bragging and telling stories about his seven brothers and sisters, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and his many nieces and nephews. Bob loved the game of golf, the Michigan State Spartans, hunting (Loomis Lodge), playing cards, a good joke, and doing anything competitive. Whether it was watching the golf channel, having a ‘match’ on a Saturday morning, or cheering on his Spartans, he loved it and was always ‘all in’. In addition to cheering for Sparty, playing or watching golf, you could find Bob following his children and grandchildren across the country to watch hundreds of football, baseball, hockey, softball, basketball and soccer games, cheering them all on, all the way. Bob and Connie enjoyed traveling many places both together and with their family and friends. Nothing was more important to Bob than his faith and family. Bob will always be remembered for his love of life, his crazy sense of humor, and his unending capacity for fun and laughter.
Bob was a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International and an Honorary Life Member of the Knights of Columbus.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 7th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home in DeWitt, Michigan. A funeral Mass to celebrate Bob’s life will be held on Friday, April 8th at 11:00 AM with visitation one-hour prior, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in DeWitt Michigan.
Serving as pallbearers are Mike Heintz, Dan Heintz, Tyler Bowen, Brendan Bender, Zach Heintz, and Ryan Heintz Jr. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Pat Heintz and Joe Heintz.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bob’s memory may be made to Margaret “Tat” Heintz Scholarship Fund Sacred Heart Academy Foundation, American Cancer Society, St. Jude’s Catholic Parish, or McLaren Hospice and Home Care Foundation.
Special thanks to McLaren Hospice for the wonderful care given to Bob.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Heintz family.
