Richard “Bubba” Heinisch

Richard “Bubba” Heinisch, 83, of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away Friday, May 4, 2018, at NorthCare Hospice House. He was born August 7, 1934 in Topeka, KS, to parents Alfred and Rose Heinisch. He attended Hayden High School and St. Benedict’s College.

Bubba joined the US Air Force in 1955. He was a Fighter Pilot and Vietnam veteran.  His military career included entry to the USAF Aviation Cadet Program June 20, 1955, graduating Sept. 6, 1956. He served as a Navigation Instructor, Ellington AFB, Houston, TX, from 1956-58. He was a B-47 Navigator/Bombardier stationed at Dyess AFB, Abilene, TX, from 1958-62. He received pilot training at Webb AFB, Big Spring, TX from 1962-63 and attended F-100 Fighter Weapons School, Luke AFB, Phoenix, AZ in 1963. He was a member of the 352nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina, 1963-66. Bubba joined TWA in 1966 and flew for them 23 years.

Bubba was a member of the TWA Retired Pilots' Breakfast "Romeos", B-47 Stratojet Assn., 96th Bob Wing Assn., F-100 Super Sabre Society, Jack Daniels "Tennessee Squire", American Legion Post 626, Kansas City Doberman Rescue, TAROA (TWA Active Retired Pilots' Assn., and the Commemorative Air Force (Lifetime Colonel).

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Barbara; three sons: Doug (Carolyn), Greg (Angela) and David; four grandchildren: Lauren and Jake Heinisch, Geoffrey (Jenny) Holton, Andrew (Christy) Holton; six great grandchildren; and brother Bob (Carol).

Service will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1357 NE 42nd Terrace, Kansas City, MO on Tuesday, May 15, 2018 with visitation from 10-11 am, Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 am and lunch being served immediately following Mass at the church. His final resting place will be at Leavenworth National Cemetery at a later date. The family wishes to thank the staff at NorthCare Hospice House for taking such loving care of Bubba. In lieu of flowers, Bubba says, “Everybody have breakfast at the Corner Café in Riverside".

Mass of Christian burial: 11AM, Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at St. Patrick Catholic Church

Visitation: 10-11AM, Tuesday, May 15, 2018 at St. Patrick Catholic Church

Interment at a later date in Leavenworth National Cemetery