Tom G Heinrich

Tom Heinrich, 77, skied his last run on Feb. 3, leaving behind an impeccably curated collection of skis, both acoustic and electric bicycles, eight industrial-sized boxes of Grape-Nuts cereal, and more recordings of the Grateful Dead than we can count.

Tom was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Thomas and Blanche Heinrich in May 1947. The eldest of four siblings, he spent his early years in a pink house, where he tested the limits of the Minneapolis school system and discovered his love for adventure on several hitchhiking excursions out West. Quick to share a laugh or shed a tear, Tom made and kept friends wherever he went. After a few semesters at the University of Minnesota and a brief stint in Canada, he found his heart and home in Sun Valley in 1971.

Tom met his wife, Roberta, while wearing a three-piece suit, hiking boots and a ponytail. They married in 1982 on a boat on the St. Croix River. On his 42nd birthday, Roberta went into labor with their only daughter while they were out celebrating at Gurney’s Restaurant. He often reminded her that she was the best birthday present ever.

A master of work-life balance, Tom maintained a successful real estate career for several decades. On most days, he could be found going up, down, or around one of the many trails in the valley. He loved the Sun Valley Symphony, fresh tracks, public radio, taking the scenic route, late-spring lupine blooms and sharing his plate of leftover eggs with his beloved pup.

But most of all, he loved this community and giving back to it.

Tom is survived by his wife, Roberta; daughter, Merrill; sister, Catherine (Richard, Brian, Luke, Si); brother, John (Tommy, Mateja); brother-in-law, Philip (Olivia); and the many, many friends who loved him.

If you would like to contribute to Tom’s legacy, the family has established funds with Rotarun Ski Area and The Community Library’s Wood River Museum of History and Culture. For more information, please visit tomheinrich.com. A memorial will be announced in the coming weeks.

Ramble on, Tom.