Heinz Herbert Kohring

Heinz Herbert Kohring, 91, died Jan. 1, 2013, at the stroke of midnight while ushering in the New Year. His passing occurred peacefully at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer.

Heinz was born at home in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on Dec. 20, 1921, to Charlotte Hayde and Karl Kohring, German immigrants. Three years later, his family moved to Chicago, where he grew up on the North Side. Heinz was one of eight children and raised during the Great Depression.

In 1942 during World War II, Heinz was drafted into the Army, where he served as a gunner with Battery A, 501st Armored Field Artillery Battalion of the 14th Armored Division. He was part of a Howitzer and M-7 tank crew and operated a .50-caliber machine gun. After basic and advanced weapons training, Heinz crossed the Atlantic aboard the SS Jonathan Trumbull, arriving on the shores of the Mediterranean at Marseilles, France. He then traveled another 400 miles inland by train where he spent the next eight months on the battlefield front lines fighting Hitler’s German forces across Alsatia and the Inn River. His division liberated 110,000 prisoners. Cpl. Heinz Kohring was honorably discharged on Nov. 30, 1945, after being awarded various battle stars and theater ribbons.

Shortly after the war, Heinz attended flight school and became a licensed private pilot, logging hundreds of hours of flight time in northern Illinois and Michigan. His family still has his logbook as a memento from 65 years ago.

On Aug. 19, 1950, Heinz married Dolores Evelyn Marshin in Chicago. Heinz and Dolores owned and operated a restaurant in Big Rock, Ill. In 1963, the family, by then numbering six, moved to Alaska for adventure, driving the Alaska-Canada Highway and settling in Chugiak and later Anchorage. By June 2013, they would have been in Alaska 50 years.

Heinz was the maintenance man at the old Alaska Native Hospital at the time of the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake. The seriously damaged building almost fell victim to the quake as he sought cover under a workbench in the basement. Afterward, he assisted with restoring electricity to the hospital to the relief of many patients. Heinz later was co-owner of a drywall supply business, which he helped manage. Then in 1976, he moved his family to Wasilla to an 8.5-acre parcel on what is now Lucille Street, where he developed Kohring Subdivision. He and Dolores lived there for 36 years until Heinz moved into the pioneers home seven weeks ago.

Heinz was a successful drywall and painting contractor in Anchorage and the Matanuska Valley. His craftsmanship endures in hundreds of homes. He was an entrepreneur who established several other businesses, including a car rental company and a taxi service. He also developed lots in his subdivision to include shop buildings and numerous rental units.

Heinz wrote his personal autobiography to document his life’s experiences and leave a legacy for his family. He continued editing the final version just 10 days before his passing. He was well known for his sharp wit, as an avid reader who hungered for knowledge and possessing a delightful sense of humor. Even during his illness, he kept doctors, nurses, family and visitors frequently in stitches. Many became endeared to Heinz.

Heinz was a founding member of Wasilla Bible Church in 1976, where he served on the board. He had a devout faith in God and was a friend, inspiration and witness to many. He also was a wonderful mentor and example to his children as a kind, generous, loyal, honest, hardworking man who was devoted to his family. A family friend stated that Heinz was the most honest man he ever met.

His family wrote: “Heinz was always excited about the future, had a uniquely positive outlook and planned ahead each day with extraordinary optimism.”

Surviving are wife, Dolores, with whom he celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary on Aug. 19, 2012; children James Kohring (wife Sharon), Patricia Kohring, Victor Kohring, Charles Kohring (wife Paula) and Heyde Hackel (husband Douglas); grandchildren Jerilyn, Bradley, Joseph, Sean, Jacob, Daniel, Jenna, Aaron, Catalina, Emily, Mollie, Leonardo, Beauregard, Tobias and Anna; and great-grandchildren Sage and Natalya.

Heinz loved his family deeply, was very proud of them and looked forward to being reunited someday.

Interment will be at Fort Richardson National Cemetery. A memorial service is planned for this spring followed by a celebration in honor of Heinz’s life to include family and friends.

The Kohrings wish to express their deep gratitude for the professional and compassionate care given Heinz during his final days by the staff at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center and the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home.

They request memorial contributions be directed to Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska, 1750 Abbott Road, Anchorage, AK 99507.