Herman Joseph Heidrich IV

Heidrich, Herman Joseph IV, "Joe", died peacefully on October 29, 2010 after a courageous fight with cancer. Born January 29, 1951 in Orlando, Joe was the fifth of 12 children and second son of Francis X. and Doris M. Heidrich. He grew up in Winter Park, attended St. Margaret Mary Church and School, Bishop Moore High School and St. Joseph Preparatory School in Bardstown, Ky.

As a boy, Joe lived life to the fullest on Lake Maitland: water skiing, fishing, exploring, biking, and boating. For several years, he boated many of his siblings through the canal to Lake Osceola for school at St. Margaret Mary. Joe was known to his family for his creative genius: developing a doorbell for his bedroom, a red light system in the driveway for the children’s many bikes, a series of rope courses in the trees, a water-ski jump, water-ski slalom course, and homemade trick skis. Joe and his cousin, Paul Heidrich, Jr., who lived next door with ten siblings of his own, were water-skiing barefoot at 12 years old.

Most special in Joe’s adult life was his beloved and devoted wife of 26 years, Joanne, who was, in his words, his “raison d’etre,” the rock who kept him grounded. Joe and Joanne shared many experiences, traveling, biking, boating, kayaking, and spending time with friends.

A collector of vintage citrus packing labels and an accomplished craftsman and woodworker, Joe was also a storyteller. He kept the friendship of many childhood friends through his adulthood. He loved and appreciated his siblings and parents. Having worked with his dad for many years in the citrus growing and shipping business, Joe enjoyed accompanying him to the "Old Timers" meetings where they reminisced with other Central Floridians who had lived in the area 50 years or more. Joe wrote: "I feel that I am as lucky a man as has walked the earth. I have my life, my wife and my family. I am blessed with a fine and loving wife, a generous serving of sibling love and the best support I could have from my father."

Anyone close to Joe knew of an event that was to transform his life five years ago: befriending the Buckley/Roseberry family of Winter Park. The family’s five children soon became virtual adopted children to Joe and Joanne, and provided Joe with a fatherhood role that until then he had never known. For the first time in his life, he was driving for field trips, carpooling, going to kids’ basketball games, and bicycling. He will be deeply missed by them, but left them with priceless values to build upon.

Joe is survived by his wife, Joanne; his father, Francis X. Heidrich, Sr. and stepmother, Rachel, brothers Frank, David, Michael (Amy), and Christopher, sisters Anne Diebel-Lane (Jim Lane), Patty, Dorie Hardrick (Allen), Beth Rich (Jonathan), Lucy Burbridge (Mike), and Mary Heidrich Del Bono (Alessandro), 33 nieces and nephews, 40 great-nieces and nephews, a bounty of cousins, and treasured friends. Joe was preceded in death by his mother, Doris, and sister, Mary Lynn Harper.

A memorial service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on November 6, 2010 at St. Margaret Mary Church, 526 North Park Avenue, Winter Park. An interment will follow at Palm Cemetery, located on Webster Avenue, in Winter Park. Following that, a reception will be held in the community room at the West Cove condominium, 1100 South Orlando Avenue, Maitland. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers will be accepted on Joe’s behalf to Hospice of the Comforter, Attn. Marilyn Hattaway, Development Dept. 480 W. Central Parkway Altamonte Springs, FL 32714.

Arrangements under the direction of Carey-Hand Cox Parker Funeral Home, Winter Park, FL.