Heinisch, Richard B.

Richard “Bubba” Heinisch – Headed West on May 4, 2018.

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 on June 20, 1955, graduating on 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 for 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: four grandchildren: six great-grandchildren; and a brother.

Richard “Bubba” Heinisch is buried in Leavenworth National Cemetery.