Robert Warren Heinrich

Robert W. Heinrich, 57, of Wolfeboro, NH, passed away May 18, 2020 in Mass General Hospital after a second battle with brain cancer and complications due to COVID-19. Born October 1, 1962, in Port Arthur, TX, to George and Lois Heinrich. An army veteran and brain cancer survivor, Rob was a fighter. He was also a loving husband and father. He is survived by his wife, Dawn, and two daughters, Haley and Hanne, sister Peggy, and brothers Scott and Keith. He will be greatly missed by Denali, the puppy that was supposed to be for the girls but chose him over everyone else, going so far as to bring his boots onto the couch to snuggle with at night. Rob was a man of many talents. A graduate of the University of South Florida, he was an exceptional athlete, playing baseball in college and was an avid golfer and golf instructor. He was a basketball, baseball and soccer coach while his girls were growing up. He was also very musically talented, playing the drums in his church band. He would also dance to any kind of music that you played, except what he called “rap crap”. Rob made sure that his daughters knew all the classics growing up, something they didn’t appreciate as much at the time but are very thankful for now. Even during his second battle with brain cancer, and the stroke that occurred during brain surgery that left him aphasic, his knowledge was not affected; he was still able to name any classic rock song that he heard playing. There aren’t many genuinely selfless people in the world, but Rob was one of them. He could be seen walking down the Bridge Falls trails picking up trash. Even if you didn’t know his name, you probably recognize him as the man walking with 2 dogs and a cat trailing close behind. He was an active member of the church, not just through his drumming, but also as a mentor for young males going through various struggles. Rob was given an award for his work cleaning up the town dog park. He was a friendly and authentic person, always greeting everyone he knew and asking how they were doing, not because it was accepted social convention, but he actually cared. One of his proudest accomplishments was his military service, where he was a Captain in the Medical Service Corps. Rob served until he was medically retired after being diagnosed with brain cancer in 1998. He was given months to live, but, stubborn as he was, he refused to let that be the end. However, if you asked Rob what his biggest accomplishment was, he would say “I survived two teenage daughters”. Rob always put his family first, all the way until the end, and will be missed by them, his friends, and all those whose lives he touched. His passing will leave a hole in the hearts of his family and loved ones that only he could fill. Due to the current circumstances, there will not be a memorial service held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Rob’s name to: Disabled American Veterans. The Baker-Gagne Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Wolfeboro is assisting the family with the arrangements. To share your condolences, messages, stories and sign an online guest book, visit www.baker-gagnefuneralhomes.com