Gunter P. Heinze

HEINZE - Gunter P. September 13, 2017. Beloved husband of 71 years to Elfriede (nee Bendler); loving father of Bernd G. (Martha) Heinze; cherished grandfather of Kelsey (Philip) Glatfelter and Sara (Thomas) Shovlin. Family will be present for Memorial Visitation on Monday at 10 AM, followed by services at 11 AM at the PERNA, DENGLER, ROBERTS FUNERAL HOME, 1671 Maple Rd. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Gunter’s name may be made to the Niagara Aerospace Museum, Niagara Falls International Airport, 9990 Porter Rd., Niagara Falls, NY 14304. Online condolences can be made at

www.denglerrobertspernafuneral.com

GUNTER P. HEINZE: AEROSPACE PIONEER

Gunter Paul Heinze, born February 12, 1921 rose into the heavens September 13th, like many of the rockets his instruments helped launch into orbit around the Earth, to the Moon and many planets in our solar system. As one of the last true "rocket scientists" of the greatest generation who were brought to the US from Germany after World War II, he invented many guidance systems, accelerometers and gyroscopes for America's space program and defense efforts during his tenure at Bell Aerospace Company in Cleveland, OH and then at the Wheatfield, NY headquarters starting in 1970. Prompted by an inherent fascination of space exploration, he worked on numerous projects for the US Armed Forces, as well as Mercury, Voyager, Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle missions. He was inducted into the Niagara Aerospace Museum Hall of Fame in 2007 and was an active member of the Aero Club of Buffalo.

As a young boy born and growing up in West Berlin, Germany, he built radio controlled glider planes and rockets, and enjoyed competing in tennis, ice skating, and track and field events. Despite a valiant effort, he fell just short of making the 1936 German Olympic Team. As a consequence, he served as a translator for English and French-speaking visitors to the Olympic Games that year in Berlin. He was also asked to personally accompany and served as an goodwill ambassador to a young American athlete during the Games, who wound up winning many medals. In 1977, he and Jesse Owens were reunited at a luncheon in Buffalo where the two relived their experiences of what was one of the most historic Olympic Games.

Mr. Heinze also worked in the space effort while working for the Siemens Corporation in Berlin during the war. He was first recruited for his extensive knowledge and inventions of guidance systems by the Royal Air Force in London, England, and then brought to the US under the Central Intelligence Agency's covert Operation Paperclip with many of his German colleagues.

He was an accomplished amateur jeweler and fixer of clocks and watches, loved photography, and playing his concertina for his granddaughters.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Elfriede (new Bendler); and his Son, Bernd G. Heinze and Martha (Hanny) of Philadelphia, PA; and two Granddaughters, Kelsey (and Philip) Glatfelter of Washington, DC and Sara (and Thomas) Shovlin of Philadelphia. Arrangements are being made by the Perna, Dengler, Roberts Funeral Home, 1671 Maple Road, Williamsville, NY. Inurnment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Niagara Aerospace Museum, Niagara Falls International Airport, 9990 Porter Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14304. Online condolences can be made at www.dengerrobertspernafuneral.com