Richard Marriott Heins

MADISON-Richard M. Heins passed into eternity to be with his Lord on Friday, May 3, 2013, with his family by his bedside. He was born in Platteville, Wisconsin on Oct. 10, 1927, the son of Amos and Adele (Marriott) Heins. He graduated from Platteville High School in 1945. While attending summer classes at Platteville State Teachers College he met the love of his life, Ruth Maurer. They were married on June 24, 1950, and soon they would have celebrated 63 years of marriage. Dick earned Bachelors, Masters, PhD, and LLB law degrees at the University of Wisconsin. In 1952, Dick and Ruth moved to California where he taught insurance at UCLA for four years. They moved back to Wisconsin and raised their four daughters, Sherie, Debbie, Sue, and Tammy. Dick became a Professor at the UW-Madison School of Business, where he taught Risk Management and Insurance and Business Law for more than 30 years. He also served as the chair of his department, was the author of many publications, and co-authored a leading textbook “Principles of Risk Management and Insurance”. Dick started consulting at CUNA Mutual Insurance Group in 1969 and eventually became President and CEO, retiring in 1996. He served on many boards over the years, including 18 years on the Board of Directors of Lutheran Brotherhood (Thrivent). In 2010, he received the Herb Wegner Award in Washington D.C. for his lifetime achievement in the Credit Union Industry. Dick was a strong supporter of the University of Wisconsin and a true Badger – his 4 daughters are also UW graduates. He served as a member of the Bascom Hill Society and on the Board of Visitors of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Dick was an entrepreneur and started many innovative businesses. Dick influenced many people through his life and was affectionately known as “Doc Heins” by his many students and colleagues. Dick and Ruth have been members at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church for 57 years and have served their Lord in many ways. Dick enjoyed working on the building projects at the church and he also served on the WELS VEBA Commission for over 15 years. Dick and Ruth travelled extensively for business, but one of Dick’s greatest joys was when he took his extended family on many trips, including to the Rose Bowl. Survivors include his loving wife, Ruth; daughters, Sheryl (Jon Orvold) Karow, Deborah (Mike) Lenser, Suzanne (Bruce) Case, and Tamalyn (Ned) Paschke; their 10 grandchildren, Sara (Brian) Rowe, Amber Karow, Brandon (Jill) Karow, Brenda (James) Garrison, Alex (Karen) Paschke, Anna (Justin) Schloesser, Daniel (Laura) Paschke, Bryan Case, Aaron Paschke, and Paul Lenser, and Dick and Ruth are expecting their first great-grandchild in August. Survivors also include his sister-in-law, Chrysanthe Heins; nephews, David and Robert Heins; and niece, Christi Heins. Dick was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother, Robert W. Heins. Funeral services will be held at OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1701 McKenna Blvd., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2013. A luncheon will follow the service. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Avenue, Middleton, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday. A special thanks to St. Mary’s Adult Day Care, Heritage Senior Center, and Agrace Hospice for their loving care of Dick. Memorials may be directed to Our Redeemer Lutheran Church building project or Wisconsin Alzheimer Disease Research Center at www.adrc.wisc.edu. Although he has gone from us, Dick’s smile, friendship, and encouragement will be remembered by all who knew him. Visitation will be held at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL HOME, 7435 University Avenue, Middleton, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8, 2013, and also at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Thursday. Funeral services will be held at OUR REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1701 McKenna Blvd., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 9, 2013.