Dr. Kenneth E. Heinrich

Dr. Kenneth Edward Heinrich

April 10, 1945 - September 12, 2025 (aged 80)

Dr. Kenneth Heinrich went to his rest waiting for Christ's return on Friday, September 12, 2025 after a long struggle with dementia.

Ken was born April 10, 1945 in San Diego, California to Kenneth I. Heinrich and Madelyn (Woodruff) Heinrich. He grew up in the farming communities around Delano and Earlimart, California. From an early age he was passionate about music, and he nurtured this passion throughout his life, playing trombone, tuba, baritone, and guitar. Ken was also proud of his German heritage, studying German through high school. He traveled to Germany as a college student to study for a year at the University of Maximilian and Ludwig in Munich.

Like many young men of his generation, the Vietnam War had a profound impact on the direction of his life. Ken was drafted and trained as a medic in the U.S. Army. He served in an evacuation hospital during the war, and this experience convinced him to pursue medicine and serve others through healing. Returning from Vietnam, Ken enrolled at Pacific Union College, where he met the love of his life, Gayle Burdick. The two were married in August of 1971. Ken and Gayle moved to Loma Linda where Ken attended the School of Medicine.

Medical residency took Ken and his young family to Hinsdale, IL. where he became a Family Practice physician. After completing his residency program in 1973, the family moved to the Pacific Island of Guam, where Ken cared for patients at the Seventh-day Adventist clinic and the Guam hospital. Ken loved the ocean and ocean life, and here he became a certified scuba diver. He also enjoyed windsurfing, sailing, and snorkeling in the warm clear waters around the island. Ken felt an urge to teach and subsequently accepted a position teaching at the Hinsdale Residency program. After a few years Ken was invited to lead the Residency program, a capacity he served in for a number of years. He performed with the Hinsdale Men's Chorus in area churches and meetings throughout the Midwest.

In the late 1980's, Ken felt a call back to directly serving patients and moved with his family to Idaho to enter private practice. He loved playing music for churches and with the Treasure Valley Concert Band. Ken treated patients throughout the Treasure Valley of Idaho. He loved the rural, agricultural nature of Idaho which was so reminiscent of his childhood in Central California.

Life circumstances took Ken and Gayle back to Loma Linda. Here Ken was involved with arranging and leading tours of foreign students studying in various health fields around the Los Angeles area. He loved interacting with these students and learning about their cultures and backgrounds. He sang with the Loma Linda Men's Chorus, recording and performing throughout Southern California. This music brought him great joy.

Ken and Gayle moved to College Place, Washington late in 2022 to be closer to family. The slower pace of life in the Walla Walla valley was soothing, and the beauty of the farms and orchards brought him so much joy.  He enjoyed taking car rides through the countryside and singing old familiar songs with family.

Ken is survived by his wife Gayle, sister Kathryn (Heinrich) Cannon, and his sons and their families; Aaron, Tina, Emma, and Jake, and Matt, Elizabeth, Ava and Lily. A private interment service will be held in Walla Walla. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to It Is Written Eyes for India Project and Maranatha Volunteers Int’l Water Wells Project.

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