Larry Heintz

Larry Heintz, 67, died on November 28, 2023 at his Baltimore, Maryland residence with his wife at his side. A native and lifelong resident of Georgia, he was born on October 26, 1956, in Atlanta.

Larry attended Druid Hills High School in Decatur where he ran cross country track, then attained a degree in Criminal Justice at Georgia State University in Atlanta. 

Larry's career was diverse. He served the public as a member of the Dekalb County Georgia Police Department, a sworn officer in the Marshal's Office, and an investigator in the Public Defenders' Office and later through the American Red Cross in Atlanta. His criminal justice background led to work as a private investigator and corporate security director.

Larry was perhaps most proud of his volunteer work with the American Red Cross. As part of its local disaster team, he helped victims of fires to find temporary shelter and support. As part of the ARC national team, he worked disasters like the 1997 Grand Forks flood in North Dakota and Minnesota and worked first aid for the Atlanta Centennial Olympics in 1996.

Larry was an entrepreneur, owning Bicycles Unlimited in Newnan and That Pottery Place in Decatur (both Georgia). An avid cyclist, he completed the Assault on Mount Mitchell and several Bicycle Rides Across Georgia (BRAG), a 400 plus mile several day ride through the State of Georgia, and other "centuries" (rides of over 100 miles).

Larry's memory is punctuated by his irreverent humor and offbeat personality. No person or institution was safe from his acerbic observations.

Larry was surprisingly musical. He played band clarinet in high school, then taught himself to play the recorder, tin whistle, digeridoo, and Native American flute. Larry's artistic side extended to hand molding with clay, where he crafted unique, quirky, and beautiful pieces. As a skilled homebrewer, he enjoyed experimenting with the process, leading to the occasional over-sugared batch giving an explosive experience (his wife is still digging shards of glass from the laundry room woodwork). He enjoyed good wine and touring vineyards and wine cellars. Larry's legendary dance moves, best described as being in the style of "funky white boy", reflected a zest for life and a total disregard of choreography and its critics. While he mastered interpretive rock and buck dancing, he was still perfecting his polka - but you knew he was on the dance floor at Baltimore's Polish Home Club.

He didn't wait for retirement to have fun and would advise anyone who can to do the same. He traveled widely, visiting all 50 United States (Hawaii and Alaska twice). He and his wife went to many countries in Europe and Central America, with capstone journeys to Australia and a New Zealand honeymoon. Adventures included going up in a glider, helicopters, sea plane, and biplane, parasailing, snorkeling, white water rafting, zip lining and more. 

He was an accomplished cook, delighting his family with gourmet meals, often created by whatever was at hand. 

Larry's life took a turn when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease over a decade ago. Yet his sly humor remained, and until very recently, he could still sling a zinger and give his wife a much-needed hearty laugh. As long as he could, Larry participated in many clinical trials for developing dementia medications.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Barbara Raye Souther Heintz and Louis William Heintz, Sr., sisters-in-law Edie Wightwick Heintz and Jean Pula, and brother-in-law Victor Pula. He is survived by his wife Edith Nikalia Pula. Larry also leaves behind cherished nieces Terrica Davis of Decatur, Georgia, and Alison Faichney (Dave) of Chattanooga Tennessee, along with their children Jordyn, Cameron, and Kendall. He is additionally survived by well loved nieces and nephews Benjamin, Ania, Chelsea, Nick, Elizabeth, Cory, April, Amber, and William and many loving cousins and in-laws. His sisters-in-law Claire Pula (Carl), Ramona Pula, and Eva Pula were tremendous support and hands on long term help, making such a difference to his quality of life. Also survived by a brother Lou Heintz, Jr. of Buford, Georgia.

A visitation and memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m to 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 14, 2024 at Kaczorowski Funeral Home 1201 Dundalk Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21222.  Please join the family for a repast immediately after. Interment will be later.  

We thank both Gilchrist Hospice for its wonderfully compassionate and efficient care and our dear friends at Kaczorowski Funeral Home who always know the right things to do and say.

Donations in Larry's memory may be made to the American Red Cross, PAWS Atlanta animal shelter, the Emory University Integrated Memory Care Clinic, or the Alzheimer's Association.