Memories
Tom touched the lives of so many through his adventures and stories. If you have a special memory or moment with him, we’d love for you to share it below.
I was lucky enough to meet Tom in the 70s. This tall, lanky guy with rose lensed Vaurnet's and a pony tail skied into line at the Roundhouse double chair. I immediately recognized a like minded spirit and continued a close friendship for over 50 years. Our adventures and sporting experiences too numerous to recall in a single sitting. We biked, hiked, boated, camped, traveled, and skied through the seasons and years always in awe of the natural world that surrounded us and the sensations it offered.
Tom pursued skiing in all its forms. He skiied every side country opportunity off Baldy as well as in bounds pistes of every type and condition. He backcountry, cross country, helicopter & cat skied and delighted in it all. When family life and responsibilities limited the time to ski, alone or together as young budget minded parents we would skin up Baldy early before work to get that one run in. We learned to XC skate ski at night after years of classic skiing, (it also helped to not have anyone see us kook out) so our weekends were free for family time.
A passion for powder skiing led to many road trips together with friends to the Salt Lake resorts, Targhee & Jackson, and a number of the Canadian Powder Highway resorts & cat skiing venues. When trips with his powder partners couldn't be arranged, Tom would strike out quickly and alone to powder destinations within a days drive in Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, & Montana. Always returning with great tales of his of powder adventures and fellow skiers well met.
As long as I live our friendship will be with me. I now say good bye to my brother with joy and elation at our wonderful memories, and with deep sorrow that we don't get to share those experiences any more.
— Steve RIley
I met Tom in the late 70’s through our dear friends Minette and John and Jerry O’Connor. Where to begin with so many memories to spare. I do remember Tom coming down to Mill Valley to see the Dead at a local restaurant when we were kicking off our Friends of Fields Foundation. He was like a kid in a candy store. Grinning ear to ear for hours, even seeing Garcia almost fall off our make shift stage. He so loved and lived life. Our time during buying and building Thunder Spring; early morning slopes, and his unquenchable love of being outdoors for every season was inspiration. He was a true friend even when we communicated at distance. He so loved his family, friends, and was dedicated to the Wood River Valley and Sun Valley. We will miss that ‘big ass’ ear-to-ear grin.
— Richie Robbins
Tom was such a sweetie pie! Always had a hug for me whenever we saw.each other. He had hugs for everyone. His upturned smile, his warm greeting, his laugh and his kind presence will be missed greatly. Powder days forever now Tom.
— Anita McCann
Tom and I started hanging out when we were about 16 and had great times throughout our high school years at the drive-ins and dances and our favorite beaches at the many lakes in Minneapolis. If you are driving around and Surfin’ Bird comes on the radio pull the car over and jump out and dance no matter where you are! We were also soul brothers and wouldn’t miss Ike & Tina, James Brown, etc if they were in town.
We drove all over the Midwest looking for hills to ski on and a few ski trips to Aspen opened our eyes to the real deal and it didn’t take long to relocate West to better pursue that sport. We always put fun & adventure on the top of the list and were able to keep it there for 60+ years… We skied all over the place in all kinds of conditions and took up nordic skiing and tried to mix that in every few days as well. We tried to be each others psychiatrist over the years and it actually worked out pretty well (plus all the money we saved). We did huge amounts of hiking, windsurfing, partying and recent years mountain biking was the favorite summer sport. We rode thousands of miles (really) throughout the trails surrounding our Sun Valley playground. We had a lot of great years together and had talked about skiing the groomed runs in later years… I know Tom had a great life because I was right there next to him for most of it. Left over from the soul brother days we jokingly referred to each other as, Soul Brother #1, My Main Man - My Ace Beaucoup!
I guess we all know Tom was making perfect turns that last day before he caught a tip and flew off into a dream. I miss the guy.
— john Broschofsky
There are so many memories with Tom that it is hard to share just one. He was a mentor to me as we had many years of real estate history together. One of the early days of working out of the old Alpenrose hotel for the Thunder Spring development was when Tom would go for a break during the day for a bike ride. He would shower in one of the rooms upstairs as our office was down on the main floor. Somehow he got locked out of the room and he comes down to the office with his hat wet in a towel as he needed the master key to get back in. We had quite the laugh as my real estate mentor had this little towel wrapped around him. He was such a kind soul that loved his family and friends. We always kept in touch and he will certainly be missed! Tom’s memories will keep on Truckin’
— Jennifer Stern
I think Tom was attracted to my Rosemont ski boots. Blessings, my friend. Rest In Peace.
— Mary MacDonald
Tom will be missed by many. I met Tom in SV in 1990 and he sold me a duplex lot on Bald Mt Road. I am 17 years younger than Tom and always looked up to him as a father figure. He was one of kind! I will miss him.
— Peter Menefee
I represent Tom‘s youthful years grade school through our early 20s. My memories are of being happy, stupid and crazy. Although saddened by Tom‘s passing, I have had a smile on my face every time I think of him.
Memories back in Kenwood in the early years and then ski trips to the upper Peninsula at Indian head and in the springs of 67 and 68 in Aspen, hoping I can upload a couple pictures.
And then more recently when Tom drove from Sun Valley to big sky country to ski with my brother and I and as he arrived, he got out of the car with his ski boots on proof that he was so comfortable in his ski boots that he could drive a damn car hundreds of miles while wearing them.
— Jay Peyton
Tom was a lifelong and dear friend. This past week, I have thought about him continuously — alternating between smiles and sadness. Most important, I remember the many meaningful times together with Tom and Roberta. I’ve know Tom since I was 15 and Roberta since I was 7. That connection is deep.
Throughout the years, I would stay with them a couple times a year so we could play together. Their friends became my friends.
Tom had a wonderful life in the Wood River Valley, staying active, having loving partners Roberta and Merrill, many friends and skiing well! I will never forget my friend Tom Heinrich.
— Alan Lizee
Tom Heinrich was always heads above, literally and physically, above everyone from my perspective. I was a great friend of ‘Kit’, Aunt Catherine, and it’s how I made my way into the mansion at Mount Curve. Tom paid attention to me from day one. That’s how he was. Everyone’s friend.
Ed Lind, another great friend and past roommate, ironically was the conduit that reunited us in Ketchum. Eddie’s funeral was the last time I was in Ketchum.
Tom and Johnny and Catherine and I have stayed in touch through the years. It was always to my delight when Tom would work his way back to the Twin Cities for a visit and we would have a chance to catch up. My wife, Margaret, adored Tom and he was always affectionate to her. I was always a little suspicious. 😂 kidding!
My warmest feeling was when Tom got sober. I have been in recovery for 45 years and it was to my joy that he shared his sober story with me. I was sooooo very proud of him. I am sorry that some of his best years were yet to come and he doesn’t get to play them out with a family that he loves so much.
As the obituary so appropriately read, Ramble on Tommy Heinrich. ❤️
— JIM Bert
