Robert “Bob” A. Hinze, passed away on May 8, 2014 at home, with his wife of 44 years by his side, in Banning, CA. He was born in San Bernardino, CA and spent most of his professional life developing business relationships in the San Bernardino area. Bob and Bunny lived in Oceanside at the Ocean Hills Country Club for 8 years and made many friends there. They also lived in Colton, Highland, Redlands, Yucaipa, and most recently moved to Banning.
Being a San Bernardino native, Bob was a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, Parlor 110, and graduated from San Bernardino High School in 1941 before attending at San Bernardino Valley College. Bob began working with his parents and driving for the San Bernardino Monument Vault and Casket Co. at the age of 15. It was said that he could wallpaper an entire room with all of the speeding tickets he received while driving Caskets, Vaults, and Monuments to their customers. After graduating high school, he joined the U.S. Army and served during WWII. Upon his return from the Army, he rejoined his parents before eventually taking over all operations. During this time, the Hinze family partnered with the Truscott family to form the Cemetery Association which operated Mt. View Cemetery, Montecito Memorial Park, Green Acres Memorial Park, Knopsnyder Mortuary, and Desert View Memorial Park, (Which he and his wife, Bunny, designed and built in Hesperia).
Bob, under his father’s tutelage, began to help run these locations until finally joining SCI in the late 70’s. At the time, it was one of the largest acquisitions made by SCI. He was honored as a Charter Member of the SCI Hall of Fame for his lifetime of distinguished service and excellence for diverse and unequalled achievement in cemetery development and management. He remained on as a Consultant with SCI for many years and had his hands in many acquisitions which continued to add to the growth of the company. Bob kept regular business hours and continued to have weekly meetings with the management of the parks before finally retiring in 2011.
Bob was a member of many organizations in his lifetime. He remains Director Emeritus of the California Interment Association and was past president in 1984. He was past president of San Bernardino Kiwanis; past president of the San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce; past president of the Orange Belt Funeral Directors Association; member of the California Funeral Directors Association; he served on the Board of Directors of the First Savings and Loan in San Bernardino, he was a past president and Board Member for Bear Valley Mutual Water Co. and for Bear Valley Extension and Pipe Co., was a member of VFW San Bernardino Post 1744 and American Legion Post 14, and was a member of Inland Action, a very select group of businessmen who met annually with our Congressional leaders in Washington D.C. to further the growth of the Inland Empire. Bob was one of the original members of the Arrowhead Country Club in San Bernardino and remained a member for many years. Bob was a well recognized businessman in the San Bernardino area, and he assisted or influenced many small business owners locally. He and Bunny loved to travel with friends all across the country in their Motorhome and are members of the Good Sam Club.
Mr. Hinze is survived by his loving wife of 44 years; Bunny A. Hinze, his children; Paula Sutter and Barry Keller of Highland, CA, Clint and Debby Wheeler of Boise, ID, and Debbie and Harley Forrey of Pittsburg, CA, his estranged daughter; Dru White of Oceansdie, CA, his grandchildren; Josh White of Chico, CA, Terri Price, Jeff (Joy) Forrey, Craig (Shayla) Forrey, Amy (Jeremy) Palumbo, Jeremiah Wheeler, Carrie (Chris) Humphries, Lucas (Samantha) Sutter, and Shannon Sutter, 2 nieces; Sherri (Jeff) Payne and Laura (David) Bailey, brother-in-law; Charles Halliday, 10 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandson, special friends and caregivers; Jerry Corriveau and Barbara DeLucca. He will be dearly missed by all.
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