Dieter Heinz

From Dieter’s wife Jeanette:

To all of you who have posted so many nice words here on this Website, I Thank You so much. I have read each and every one, many times over! I also thank those who have sent cards, pictures and memorials. I never realized how much these kind words would help, but they certainly do. He cared for all of you and always wanted to share with you.

To my Dieter,
It has been a year now without you.
I miss you so much. Rest now in peace, you had a
wonderful, active life and you enjoyed each day.
I ran across this poem which expresses my thoughts exactly:

I thought of you with love today,
But that is nothing new,
I thought about you yesterday,
And days before that too.
I thought of you in silence,
I often speak your name,
Now, all I have is memories
And your picture in a frame.
Your memory is my keepsake,
With which I’ll never part.
God has you in His keeping,
I have YOU in my heart!
I LOVE you!
I MISS you!
Ich Liebe Dich!
Deine,
Jeanette

From Dieter’s wife Jeanette:

To all of you who have posted so many nice words here on this Website, I Thank You so much. I have read each and every one, many times over! I also thank those who have sent cards, pictures and memorials. I never realized how much these kind words would help, but they certainly do. He cared for all of you and always wanted to share with you.

To my Dieter,
It has been a year now without you.
I miss you so much. Rest now in peace, you had a
wonderful, active life and you enjoyed each day.
I ran across this poem which expresses my thoughts exactly:

I thought of you with love today,
But that is nothing new,
I thought about you yesterday,
And days before that too.
I thought of you in silence,
I often speak your name,
Now, all I have is... READ MORE →

Brian & Family, my most sincere condolences. Dieter, was truly a wonderful soul who shared a passion that will forever live within me. I must say I mention his name allot when incidents arise or old stories. Everything he taught us at twentynine palms marine corps base back in 1991 has stayed with me much like everyone else said here already, more than any other instructor I know. His voice and humor alone is a great memory as well, especially when he use to call me "Dr. Bush". Dieter actually made my anxiety learning college base chemistry really allot of fun. From the famous sniff test formula to the famous fellow volkswagen stories, to my true test of bucket chemistry of mixing a peroxide with a hydrocarbon. I remember soo much from those classes and rely on them everyday for guidance. Dieter & Brain and CSTI will always hold a special place in my life as a firm foundation of proper response and field identification as well as proper safety dealing with chemicals. Brian, I remember jumping up and down when you told me I passed 1B, I was soo excited, I really felt I had a grip on the alkane and salts and non salts etc.. it made me feel empowered to do better and learn my job. Brian & family Your Father was so brilliant at taking a tough subject matter and making it so easy to understand, that it becomes like second nature, if I could only be half as good as he was teaching a class i would be thrilled. Now as a Captain of a 2 crews and responding to everything from Aircraft crashes to HazMat response, I lean on that information given to me by him allot. I would like to say thank you for taking the time to teach and give to others somtething so powerful as knowledge and empowerment which I feel is truly one of the most noble things to do with ones life. It is a great day for chemistry indeed and lets not forget a lil bucket chemistry. May God bless you on your way to his arms and may you rejoice in knowing you gave this world your gift, and that was your knowledge and passion of something that changed lives everyday. My love and respect to your family during this most difficult time. Respectfully, Captain Joel T. Bush Crash Crew Division Federal Fire Department San Diego, NASNI, Ca

Brian & Family, my most sincere condolences. Dieter, was truly a wonderful soul who shared a passion that will forever live within me. I must say I mention his name allot when incidents arise or old stories. Everything he taught us at twentynine palms marine corps base back in 1991 has stayed with me much like everyone else said here already, more than any other instructor I know. His voice and humor alone is a great memory as well, especially when he use to call me "Dr. Bush". Dieter actually made my anxiety learning college base chemistry really allot of fun. From the famous sniff test formula to the famous fellow volkswagen stories, to my true test of bucket chemistry of mixing a peroxide with a hydrocarbon. I remember soo much from those classes and rely on them everyday for guidance. Dieter & Brain and CSTI will always hold a... READ MORE →

There are so many stories from a friendship that started over 22 years ago, but here goes:

1. I remember a guy with two broken ankles teaching in high top tennis shoes. We spent a day on the water on a weekend break and he wanted to waterski (the Heineken talking) Then he took third place in the body beautiful contest at the Prop Stop.

2. I remember a class in Shreveport where Dieter introduced me to the pleasures of Escargot! I have enjoyed this dish ever since!

3. I remember him shooting me with rubber bands during the Operating Sight Practices IP at the National Fire Academy (everyone in the class was involved!).

4. I remember helping Dieter perform some of his chemical demonstrations at a conference in Baton Rouge and a couple of the demos were a little too energetic! We left several holes in the parking lot and set off all of the car alarms!

5. I remember going shopping with Dieter prior to a Chem III class and we were stopped and questioned by the local police because someone overheard us talking about things going boom!

6. I remember my wife & I meeting him for dinner in New Orleans. The conversation was so stimulating that my wife talked about it for weeks. We have had the pleasure many times.

I have many wonderful memories that I will cherish forever!

Bob Darcey

There are so many stories from a friendship that started over 22 years ago, but here goes:

1. I remember a guy with two broken ankles teaching in high top tennis shoes. We spent a day on the water on a weekend break and he wanted to waterski (the Heineken talking) Then he took third place in the body beautiful contest at the Prop Stop.

2. I remember a class in Shreveport where Dieter introduced me to the pleasures of Escargot! I have enjoyed this dish ever since!

3. I remember him shooting me with rubber bands during the Operating Sight Practices IP at the National Fire Academy (everyone in the class was involved!).

4. I remember helping Dieter perform some of his chemical demonstrations at a conference in Baton Rouge and a couple of the demos were a little too energetic! We left several holes in the parking lot and set off all... READ MORE →

We have all lost a dear friend with Dieter's passing.Dieter's entry into the fire service began when I was Fire Chief in San Luis Obispo and Dieter was working as a contractor for the Public Works Department. The Fire Department was working on a plan to improve its hazardous material response capability and I heard about Dieter from the P.W. Department Head. He raved about Dieter and the work he was doing. I met Dieter and we developed a plan where he would attend a couple of courses at the National Fire Academy, he would ride with our companies to learn their operation at an incident, and would respond to incidents as the Plans Section Chief on H/M incidents. Dieter never ceased to amaze all of us...on the incident scene, in the class-room,or when having a little Chevas. Dieter was so proud when I presented him a San Luis Obispo F.D. badge to wear on his belt, identifying him as our Fire Chemist. Thus began his wonderful affiliation with the fire service. In my 45 years in the fire service, I have never met a man that had a more respected relationship with fire-fighters across this great nation than Dieter held with all of us that were lucky enough to know him. Truly...he "made his mark" in our hearts and minds. He is one of a kind...very special. Goodbye dear friend, you will be very missed.

We have all lost a dear friend with Dieter's passing.Dieter's entry into the fire service began when I was Fire Chief in San Luis Obispo and Dieter was working as a contractor for the Public Works Department. The Fire Department was working on a plan to improve its hazardous material response capability and I heard about Dieter from the P.W. Department Head. He raved about Dieter and the work he was doing. I met Dieter and we developed a plan where he would attend a couple of courses at the National Fire Academy, he would ride with our companies to learn their operation at an incident, and would respond to incidents as the Plans Section Chief on H/M incidents. Dieter never ceased to amaze all of us...on the incident scene, in the class-room,or when having a little Chevas. Dieter was so proud when I presented him a San Luis Obispo... READ MORE →

To the family members of Mr. Dieter Heinz, I envy you, not over the passing of Dieter but for the life and times you have had to share with him. Over the years and two different degrees I have had over 100 instructors or professors for numerous classes. Most of whom I must strain to remember and much of what was covered has long been forgotten. Not so with Dieter. Any of my collegues need only mention his name or even mention Haz-Mat classes and his face immediately jumps into my mind and his voice immediately can be heard in my ears explaining the dangers of a harmless bottle of pickric acid when it sits too long and crystalizes. And thats from classes I had with him 20 years ago.

He was one of the few instructors I have ever had that would actually enjoy sitting down with his students to a lunch of pizza and beer and talking to us as friends. Once you got to know him you realized he taught Haz-mat because he really did care about those of us who put ourselves in harms way. When people talk to others about a class they have had it usually goes something like, "I had this class on bla bla bla and the instructor was, uh uh so and so". When people talk to someone about a class they had with Dieter it starts with, "I have a friend who teaches the Haz-Mat classes".

He would tell stories of haz-mat incidents that always seem to have a hidden message that highlighted the importants of what he was teaching. His teachings gave me the knowledge and confidence in my skills to disobey a direct order (twice) from my immediate supervisor to go into a confined basement full of H2S gas, to "check out a mysterious odor".

So, to those members of his family, please be proud of the fact that there are untold numbers of emergency responders who are alive and uninjured because of his teachings. He will be missed. And to Brian who has chosen to follow in Dieters footsteps. He has left quite a legacy to follow, and you are doing a great job of continuing where Dieter left off. Our job continues to get more dangerous and we need all the expert help we can get. I thank the members of his family for sharing him with us. Those of us who have known him will always remember. "No Bucket Chemistry".

Kevin Ward, Redding Fire Department, Redding CA

To the family members of Mr. Dieter Heinz, I envy you, not over the passing of Dieter but for the life and times you have had to share with him. Over the years and two different degrees I have had over 100 instructors or professors for numerous classes. Most of whom I must strain to remember and much of what was covered has long been forgotten. Not so with Dieter. Any of my collegues need only mention his name or even mention Haz-Mat classes and his face immediately jumps into my mind and his voice immediately can be heard in my ears explaining the dangers of a harmless bottle of pickric acid when it sits too long and crystalizes. And thats from classes I had with him 20 years ago.

He was one of the few instructors I have ever had that would... READ MORE →

In the late 1990's as the Assistant Fire Chief in charge of training, I brought Deiter in for a refresher class to all Edwards AFB Fire Dept. HazMat Technicians. We went up to Fire Station 5 (the hazmat station) and Deiter brought some props with him. The one I remember the most was the Sodium metal. We sat up a 10 gallon metal can, he took out a block that looked like clay (greyish), it was wet with an inhibitor. He took out his pocket knife, the clas moved in close and he said you might want to move back. He sliced off a sliver and tossed it ito the can and backed away quickly. --- Varoom --- it went and then proceeded with teh class. This made such an impact that the class was intrigued for the remainder of the class. I loved it, and some of the students still remind me of that day and ask "we wish we could get another class like that".

In the late 1990's as the Assistant Fire Chief in charge of training, I brought Deiter in for a refresher class to all Edwards AFB Fire Dept. HazMat Technicians. We went up to Fire Station 5 (the hazmat station) and Deiter brought some props with him. The one I remember the most was the Sodium metal. We sat up a 10 gallon metal can, he took out a block that looked like clay (greyish), it was wet with an inhibitor. He took out his pocket knife, the clas moved in close and he said you might want to move back. He sliced off a sliver and tossed it ito the can and backed away quickly. --- Varoom --- it went and then proceeded with teh class. This made such an impact that the class was intrigued for the remainder of the class. I loved it, and some of the students... READ MORE →

I enjoyed my time so much with the entire Heinz family. When Monika, Susan and I were in college, Mr. and Mrs. Heinz would have me up to their house for dinner. One night was very special to the group, because Monika was bringing a new boyfriend to the house, and Mr. Heinz seemed to want everything to go really well. Well, the flames on the BBQ that evening got a little out of hand, and Mr. Heinz burned the ends of his eyebrows, and his face turned a little red from the lid being removed off of the BBQ and a flame roaring out. We all didn't know this, and I blurted out (not very polite, right???), "Mr. Heinz, what happened to your face!!!" Well, he covered it well, and I found out later what had happened regarding the BBQ.

It really affected me how much Mr. Heinz loved his daughters and wanted all to be as perfect as possible for Monika's new friend to meet the family. The idea that we wanted all to be so wonderful for Moni was so touching! I am so sorry for the family's loss, and am so lucky to have met him. He was very special, and he must have been a good father. His two daughters are my two best friends. By the way, that boyfriend of Monika's mentioned in this story is Moni's husband of many years and my good friend of 20 years, Alex Pock!!!

I love you Mr. Heinz!

You will be missed! Jennifer Parsons

I enjoyed my time so much with the entire Heinz family. When Monika, Susan and I were in college, Mr. and Mrs. Heinz would have me up to their house for dinner. One night was very special to the group, because Monika was bringing a new boyfriend to the house, and Mr. Heinz seemed to want everything to go really well. Well, the flames on the BBQ that evening got a little out of hand, and Mr. Heinz burned the ends of his eyebrows, and his face turned a little red from the lid being removed off of the BBQ and a flame roaring out. We all didn't know this, and I blurted out (not very polite, right???), "Mr. Heinz, what happened to your face!!!" Well, he covered it well, and I found out later what had happened regarding the BBQ.

It really affected... READ MORE →