Dr. Joseph “Joey” Heinze, (DDS-MS) 61, passed away on Monday, February 7, 2022 in a Rapid City, SD hospital from Covid complications.
Joseph was born in Minot to Robert and Laura (Kraft) Heinze. He was raised and educated in Minot and graduated from Minot High School in 1979. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Minot State University in 1984 and then his DDS from the University of Minnesota in 1989. After a surgery internship at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore, MD and an anesthesia internship at Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago, IL, he received his license to practice dentistry in South Dakota in 1991.
Dr. Heinze’s years of dental experience include time in private practice and as an active duty officer in federal dental services. He left the US Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel to start his specialty training in periodontal surgery at the University of Oklahoma. After graduation, he spent time in a large group practice in Wisconsin before starting his own practice, Dental & Implant Care in Rapid City.
Joey enjoyed the outdoors and loved the sunshine. Material things were not important. He showed a compassion for his patients by sometimes trading his work for whatever they had to offer, maybe a painting, a statue or even a good steak. He often said he couldn’t operate his office without his good friend and business partner, Mr. Joseph Feild.
Joey is survived by: his father, Robert Heinze, Minot, brothers, Douglas and David, both of Minot; sister, Marianne (Stan) Vangsness, rural Berthold, twin-sister, Joan (Dean) Henne, rural Minot; nephews, Myles (Erica) Henne & Paul Henne; nieces, Lindsey & Laura Vangsness; great niece, Madison Henne.
Joey was preceded in death by his mother, Laura Heinze and sister, Susanna Praska.
A graveside service will take place on June 11, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in Section 30 of Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot.
Fellowship to follow at Our Redeemer’s Church, Minot.
