Edward Lee Heinz

Because of his love of classical music (Rossini, Beethoven,) some would have thought of him as a ‘nerd’, but that changed when he discovered ROTC – Air Force and loved it. He went on to UC Berkeley and earned his Bachelors degree, two Masters at USC and then last, but not least, earned his Doctorate in Public Administration. He became a 2nd Lieutenant in 1960 in New York and passed the DEW line near the North Pole. He had an exciting 800 mile flight from the North Pole in an Air Force plane—no Polar Bears. As the military does, he moved around the country for training and career advancements. He worked on everything from Titan ll and Minuteman missiles at Vandenberg Air Force Base (3 Tours), to then becoming the Executive Officer for a 2-Star General in the Strategic Air Command and a Chief of Staff for a 3-Star General. At one point in his career, he was Protocol Officer working with officials and officers at Vandenberg. At the base, he gave the Secret Service brief indigestion when he asked about shooting the Vice President – with his camera.

As a Captain, Lee became part of the Mission Control team for the Apollo space program, from Apollo 7 through Apollo 11. His last Apollo mission was particularly nerve-wracking due to a fuel shortage from a delayed moon landing. The astronauts made a safe landing back on earth, and the team was not allowed to celebrate until the recovery ship (USS Hornet) reported mission accomplished. A treasured memento for Lee is the flag he was given as part of that Mission Control team.

One of his later assignments was duty at the Pentagon for five years where he was more involved in international relations dealing with nuclear and non- nuclear planning, AMBs, and preparing recommendations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff. There he learned the shorts-cuts through the Pentagon’s more than 17 miles of corridors. Contributed to the writing of the Salt Treaty.

After 28 years in the Air Force, Lee retired as a full Colonel with a special citation from the Secretary of the Air Force. Not satisfied to rest on his exemplary record, he became the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce in Lompoc and Costa Mesa. He continued to volunteer at Loma Linda Hospital, he spearheaded the formation of the Murrieta Public Library Foundation and became the city's library Commissioner. Lee taught classes at the University of Redlands and for the University of Phoenix and became Academic Manager at the University of Phoenix. He then served as the Academic Dean at Everest College for two years and was honored as "Dean of the Year" at a National Academic Conference.

While Lee was a 2nd Lieutenant he desired to know more about faith and communion, which led him to explore a variety of denominations, finally becoming a member of Faith Lutheran in 2007 with his wife Pam. The couple has been together for 30 years, although it took him 3 years to convince her to marry him. His faith has been an extremely important part of his life and military career.

In spite of surviving a bout with cancer and being the "The Warrior" that he was, he under went a Quadruple By-Pass surgery ten years ago. He continued to be a Track and Field competitor in the Senior Games although he could no longer do 12 marathons. He remained active in the church and was most often seen with a camera around his neck.

“It is wonderful to be in such a giving and loving community at Faith Lutheran Church,” Lee Heinz said. He was one of the many who made it that way. Lee also became the Congregational President.

Edward is survived by his beloved wife Pamela R. Heinz; son Scott E. Heinz and his wife Kate Heinz; daughter Susan L. Heinz; step-son Michael D. Robertson and his wife Kristen Cramer; Granddaughters Vivian J. Cramer, and Alexandra Heinz; Nephews James Heinz and William Tutor, and Nieces Christine Heinz Eckhoff and Debbie Schmunk.”

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Faith Lutheran Church 28200 Portsmouth Drive, Menifee,CA 92586 Email: faithmenifee.com.