Heinz D. Rueckmann

Victor, NY

Passed away on November 2, 2022 at age 80. Heinz was born on April 5th, 1942, in Posen, Germany, to Alexander and Herta (Pfaff) Rueckmann. After a few turbulent years, the family was forced to flee Posen as the final days of WWII played out. Heinz, along with his mother and young sister, escaped across a river in the dead of night as the war raged around them. They eventually reunited with Heinz’s father in Melsungen, Germany, where the family resided after the war.

In 1955 his family set sail for America, and eventually settled on Mulberry St in Rochester, NY. Heinz attended Monroe High School and graduated in 1961. He then attended the University of Rochester and the Rochester Institute of Technology, and graduated from RIT with a degree in mechanical engineering.

In 1965, Heinz met his wife Ilse, the love of his life, when she asked her coworker Hella, Heinz’s sister, for a ride. Heinz dutifully picked them both up, and within a few months Heinz and Ilse were wed at the Colgate Rochester Divinity School.

After a few years living with Heinz’s parents on Mulberry St, he and his wife bought their first house in Gates, NY. However, the country was calling, and in 1972 Heinz and his wife purchased their current home in Victor. Heinz, along with friends and neighbors, finished construction on the home and continued to make improvements. Heinz and Ilse quickly got to know their neighbors, both old and new, and truly cherished those friendships.

Trained as a mechanical engineer, Heinz found his calling in sales. During his career, he worked in the tool and die industry, for various firms, as an engineer, salesman, and sales manager. He developed lifelong friendships with colleagues and clients, and traveled the country, amassing a wonderful collection of anecdotes of life on the road. Heinz also put his engineering skills to use at home, designing and building various projects, or helping out friends.

Heinz was equally interested in the arts. He had a lifelong love of music, particularly Mozart, Bach, and Johan Strauss. Heinz had a wonderful, clear bass singing voice. He loved singing with the church choir, and every Christmas Eve he would lead the congregation through a German rendition of “Silent Night”.

Heinz’s son Erik was born in 1975, and Kirk followed in 1978. He was always proud of his sons and their families, and gave them both a strong foundation to succeed in life. Both sons inherited Heinz’s irreverent sense of humor and his love of learning. He and Ilse proudly experienced their children’s various life milestones and warmly welcomed their respective spouses into the family.

Heinz is survived by his wife Ilse, the love of his life to whom he was married for 56 wonderful years. He is also survived by his sons Erik and Kirk, son-law Jim Hall, daughter-in-law Heather (Dibkey) Rueckmann, his sister Hella, and his nephews Mark & Derek.. He was preceded in death by his parents Alexander and Herta.

A funeral service for Heinz will be held Thursday November 10th 11 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church (18 Victor Mendon Rd Mendon, NY). Interment will be private. For full obituary information and to leave the family condolences visit jarmuszcottonfuneralhome.com