Robert Leroy Heintz

Services for Robert “Bob” Leroy Heintz, 82, of Spencer, will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, March 14, 2025, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Spencer. The Rev. Kevin Richter will officiate the service. Visitation will one hour prior at the church. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Spencer. He passed away Friday, March 7, 2025, at Spencer Hospital. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Bob’s name.

Bobz was born on May 22, 1942, to Evelyn M. Hendren and Edward “Ed” J. Heintz in Pipestone, Minnesota. Ed worked for Montgomery Ward’s and was frequently promoted, which meant the family moved quite often. Bob found himself landing in new schools in Wahpeton, North Dakota, Washington state, and graduated after one year of attendance at Columbus Catholic High School in Waterloo in May 1960.

Bob continued his education at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in education in 1966.

Bob pursued an advanced degree at Central Missouri State and earned a Master in Library Science.

Bob’s first teaching job was at Holmes Junior High School in Cedar Falls.

Bob met his future bride, Mary, in 1964 when she came to visit and eventually live with her brother Gene, who happened to live next door to Bob’s parents.

Mary and Bob married at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler on Feb. 12, 1966. Bob loved to tell the story of spending time before the wedding with his future brothers-in-law, sweeping the aisles and pews of the church.

Mary and Bob moved to Spencer in 1966 where Bob took a job with the Spencer School District. He oversaw five elementary school libraries, the junior high school library and the senior high school library. Over the years, technology was added to the school district, and Bob found himself learning everything about computers. Bob was promoted to the position of media director by Dr. Joe Graff, superintendent of Spencer Community Schools.

Bob championed, budgeted and designed the brand-new library addition to the high school. He added barcoding to the seven libraries. Bob ran cable through tunnels and ceilings to add ethernet to the seven schools’ classrooms, computer labs, etc. When space became critical at the high school, Bob’s department moved to the remodeled Sernett’s Store. He was always on the go to the various school buildings that needed him to fix a computer, install new software, put together bookshelves, tables, etc. All told, Bob spent 34.5 years working in education.

Bob and Mary loved to travel across the western section of the U.S. with the children in the back of the Ford, the Skylark, and ultimately the Dodge minivan. Bob spent time at Western State College in Colorado, working on his postgrad hours.

After Bob retired from the Spencer School District and Mary retired from her position as a registered nurse at Spencer Hospital, they vacationed on several cruises. They traveled to Hawaii, Alaska, Australia and the Caribbean. They attempted to going through the Panama Canal, but it ended early with Bob being airlifted off the ship with pneumonia. Two years later, on another cruise, they made it through the canal.

Bob was a member of the Sacred Heart Church, served on the school board, repaired school computers, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Bob enjoyed his weekly cribbage with friends.

He is survived by his wife, Mary, of 59 years; his son, Brian (Shawna) Heintz of Kansas City, Missouri; and his daughter, Julie Heintz of Columbus, Mississippi. Bob has two wonderful granddaughters’ Allyson Heintz and Haley Heintz who called their beloved grandfather Boppa. He is also survived by his sister, Patricia McHenry of Iowa City.

Warner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.