Grosse Ile - Grosse Ile Presbyterian Church

Wednesday, July 11, 2001

The world is emptier today.

In losing Heinz, Wally has lost her devoted husband, Stephanie and Paul have lost their loving dad, and the rest of us have lost a friend, a mentor, an inspiring entrepreneur, a generous philanthropist, and an irreplaceable community leader. Heinz Prechter was bigger than life, and the world without him is emptier today.

I've been asked by Heinz's family to read this letter from President and Laura Bush:

Dear Wally:

Laura and I were saddened to learn about Heinz. I know this is a difficult time for you and your family.

We valued our friendship with Heinz. He was a kind man and a loyal friend to the entire Bush family.

We will miss him and I know the thousands of others whose lives he touched so significantly will miss him also.

You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

George W. Bush

The elder President Bush and Barbara also send their heartfelt condolences.

We all are shocked, saddened, and bewildered by Heinz's death. Since last Friday, hardly an hour has gone by when Michelle and I haven't thought of him. Virtually every conversation comes back round to him and how much we miss him.

For most of us, being on Grosse Ile means being at Heinz and Wally's home, listening to him speak with what he called his "Downriver accent."

It turns out, the man with the accent became one of Michigan's most creative entrepreneurs and one of the most articulate and passionate spokesmen for the American auto industry. The man with the accent became a visionary leader for the Downriver region and a persuasive promoter of a revitalized Detroit. The man with the accent became a powerful voice in the election of two U.S. presidents, several senators, many congressmen, and even a few governors. The man with the accent also had one of the biggest hearts when it came to giving back to his community, his state, and his nation. It turns out the man with the Downriver accent became the quintessential American -- a great American dreamer -- a great American patriot.

What everyone here knows is that Heinz always credited Max Fisher, his great friend, as his mentor. As I thought about what to say this afternoon, I realized I hadn't told Heinz often enough what a mentor he was to me. He was always there. We talked a lot. I depended on him. He was like a big brother.

What always impressed Michelle and me is that, in so many conversations, the topic of our children would come up. Heinz deeply loved Stephanie and Paul. He was so proud of them.

Since we were both parents of multiples, he would advise us -- parent-to-parent -- to cherish our time with our kids and enjoy their years growing up. He reminded us of how quickly time passes.

One of the memories Michelle and I will always treasure is the time a number of us went with Heinz and Wally to Germany to celebrate their 20^th wedding anniversary. You know how Heinz loved cars, especially testing them. An unforgettable memory is our BMW road test on the Autobahn!

Heinz also took me to the family farm, showed me where he came from, and introduced me to his friends. Of course, in Germany every village has its own special beer. Well, Heinz was proud of his village beer, and we all drank plenty of it.

Then there was the village dancehall where Heinz first caught sight of Wally. He loved to tell the story of how he courted her -- with great persistence, I might add -- until he won her heart.

Wally, you both won our hearts. You are quite a team. And we love you.

I know all of you have your own "Heinz stories." In all he did he was bigger than life, and it's hard to find the words to convey what he meant to us.

If this church is full of love for Heinz, it is because he was full of love for us. He loved our state and this community, and he loved you. Loved you with a big-hearted love that touched thousands and thousands and thousands of lives -- here in Michigan, across America, in Germany, and around the world.

In the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes are the well-known words:

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die;

A time to plant, and a time to sow...

A time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, and a time to dance...

Now is the season in which we mourn and weep -- and even die a little from grief.

But, knowing Heinz with all his restless energy and generous spirit, I think he'd want this season soon to be past. I think he'd want us to carry on, to finish what he had begun. To plant and to sow ... to break down and to build up ... to build up something that speaks to the better angels of our nature.

The Heinz Prechter we will always cherish would want us to laugh and dance again. He would want us to celebrate the things that meant the most to him: family, friendship, freedom, and America's belief that anyone can turn dreams into reality if we work hard and believe in ourselves.

That was Heinz's life -- and that is his legacy.

The Heinz Prechter story will inspire generations to come.

This month America celebrates its 225^th birthday, and Detroit celebrates its 300^th birthday. Somehow it won't be the same without the man who so loved his adopted country and city.

The world is emptier today.

Auf Wiedersehen, my friend.