Roger Wayne “Hitler” Heinrich, the son of Wayne and Connie (Thompson) Heinrick was born on December 9, 1958 in Minot, North Dakota.  He went to heaven at the age of 54 years on Friday, October 25, 2013 due to complications of a double lung transplant at the Fairview University Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Rogers first years were spent on his grandparents ranch north of Towner.  The family moved into Towner in the mid-60’s.  Even as a child Roger played true to his ‘Hitler’ nickname…if you didn’t play with his toys right you got sent home.  Roger attended school in Towner, played on the high school basketball team and graduated from Towner High School in 1977.  Roger was blessed by the birth of his daughter, Tracey Ann on February 24, 1977 and he was united in marriage to Bev Sebastian on July 3, 1977.  This marriage was later dissolved.  Roger was an extremely dedicated hard working man.  In his early years he worked for his uncle Larry Heinrich, area ranchers, Associated Pool Builders and Bender Construction.  His concrete career with the Bender family lasted 23 years.  In 1987 the Benders moved their operation to the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area and Roger followed.  What was to be a 6 month stay turned into a 13 year ‘see the Eastern United States Tour’.  In April 2000 Roger made the move back to Towner to assist his uncle Larry, with his concrete construction business.  Roger eventually took over Larry’s business and R & R Concrete Construction was born.  Roger was known as ‘Concrete Man Extraordinaire’, his work was meticulous whether he was doing a water tank for a rancher or a foundation for someone’s dream home.  Roger was fortunate that he could employ his parents as his right hand men, all he had to do was call and they were there to help.

In August 2000, Roger finally ‘met his match’, Kim Hennes Skar and for the past 13 years they had quite the ride.  They enjoyed everything they did together, elk hunting in the Badlands, fishing trips to the Canadian bush, deer hunting, time with friends and family, NASCAR races, and most of all the Harley.  Roger was a member of the Mouse River Snowmobile Club and held the office of Treasurer for a number of years. He also dearly loved softball and took the game very seriously.  NASCAR and football were his weekend passions and he could be heard for miles yelling at the TV most every weekend.  In 2005, Roger joined the Gallow’s and became the treasurer of the MC, another job he took very seriously.  He loved the Gallows and the friendships he formed through the club.  The Gallows became his family. Both he and Kim loved the road trips, camping trips to Antler and Nekoma and the Christmas parties.  The Gallows Hall became his passion and he took great pride in what the club was doing to bring the building back to a vital part of the Towner community.  Rogers struggle with his lung disease was a long one but he never complained and he barely let the disease dictate his life.  He managed to pheasant and dear hunt the last few years using his mom Connie and Kim as his retrievers and his doctors were quite shocked to hear he was managing to ride his bike while on oxygen.  He was a loving companion and father, a wonderful son, brother, uncle and friend to many.  His loud bark and soft heart will be greatly missed.  Breathe easy, ride hard…God bless you Roger.

Roger is survived by his companion, Kim Hennes Skar of Towner; daughter, Tracey Heinrick of Minot; parents, Wayne and Connie of Towner; sister, Deb (Kevin) Fairbairn; nephews, Shelby (Amy) Swearson and Tyler Swearson; many aunts, uncles; Kim’s parents, Joe and Margaret Hennes; other relatives and many great friends.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Johanna Heinrick and Glenn and Marion Thompson.

               

Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 2, 2013 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Towner with burial in the Union Cemetery, Towner.  Mr. Wally Fretland and Pastor Linda Wimmer, officiating.

A gathering for family and friends will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Gallow’s Hall in Towner.