Peter Edward Heineman

Peter Edward Heineman, age 89, Council Bluffs, IA died Saturday, May 21, 2016 at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. Peter was born the second child to Wilhelm and Lucille (Jensen) Heineman in Keokuk, IA. He attended Garfield Grade School, Keokuk Junior High and Senior High School. After graduation in 1945, Peter enlisted as an Apprentice Seaman in the U.S. Maritime Service. He served in the Atlantic and Pacific war zones from 1945-1946 aboard the Liberty ships. Peter joined the Iowa National Guard in 1947, Company "C", 68th Infantry Regiment as a private and enrolled at Culver Stockton College in Canton Missouri where he majored in Science. Peter married Doris Jean Crum, September 11, 1949 in Keokuk, IA before graduating in 1951. A life-long lover of music, Peter began playing the saxophone while still a child. By the time he was in the ninth grade, Peter was playing saxophone in local bands at dances for schools, colleges, clubs, and lodges in and around Keokuk. He also substituted in traveling bands playing in the area and was a member of the Keokuk Municipal Band. During his college days he again played in "jobber bands," the college marching and swing bands, and the Keokuk Municipal Band. Peter met his wife, Doris, at an American Legion Club dance. After graduation, Peter took a job as station agent with the newly formed Ozark Airlines. He was assigned to the Keokuk Municipal Airport as a weather observer and radio communications technician. Peter left Ozark Air Lines and moved to Council Bluffs with his wife and daughter in 1953 to accept a position as Program Director for the Council Bluffs, Iowa Railroad YMCA. He transferred to the 168th Infantry Regiment of the Iowa National Guard; he resigned his commission in 1962 as a 2nd Lieutenant after serving 15 years. Leaving the YMCA, Peter joined Inland Manufacturing Company in Omaha on their national sales staff in their automotive products division. He remained with Inland for 15 years when in 1970 he accepted a full-time teaching position with the newly formed Iowa Western Community College where he taught a variety of subjects over the next 23 years. He retired as a Professor in 1993 to help Doris in their flower and gift business. Peter was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed canoeing, backpacking, scuba diving, and sailing. He was a Boy Scout troop leader for over 15 years and received the District Award of Merit, Scouter's Key and Silver Beaver. Peter also volunteered at Mercy Hospital. He is preceded in death by his wife Doris, sister, Lucille and parents. He is survived by his children Sharen, Bim and Peter, and grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be on Friday May 27th, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at Hoy Kilnoski Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Walnut Hill Cemetery with Military Honors. Memorials are suggested to either Childrens Square or the Alzheimers Association.