Richard Kenneth Heitzenrater, 80, of Bristol

Posted 11/20/19

Richard Kenneth Heitzenrater, 80, passed away Nov. 8, 2019, at Newport Hospital. He was the husband of Martha (Corsi) Heitzenrater, a Bristol native. When they married, he embraced the town of …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Register to post events


If you'd like to post an event to our calendar, you can create a free account by clicking here.

Note that free accounts do not have access to our subscriber-only content.

Day pass subscribers

Are you a day pass subscriber who needs to log in? Click here to continue.


Richard Kenneth Heitzenrater, 80, of Bristol

Posted

Richard Kenneth Heitzenrater, 80, passed away Nov. 8, 2019, at Newport Hospital. He was the husband of Martha (Corsi) Heitzenrater, a Bristol native. When they
married, he embraced the town of Bristol as his own.

Born in Pennsylvania, he was the son of Frederick and Leota (Grey) Heitzenrater. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Paul Gilstrap II and his wife Kimberly, Kevin Gilstrap and his wife Gina, Karen Zompa and her husband Frederick Jr., and Bryan Heitzenrater. He also is the father of Richard, Ronald, William and Jennifer Heitzenrater. He is survived by two sisters, Muriel Grube and Patricia Martz. He was a
loving and admired grandfather to 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mr. Heitzenrater graduated high school in Pennsylvania and then enlisted in the Navy. He proudly served his country in several duty stations around the world and aboard the USS Oglethorpe (AKA-100), the USS LaSalle (LPD-3), and the USS R K Turner (DLG-20).

In 1980, Richard transferred from active duty to fleet reserve after 23 years in the Navy. He was a Radioman Petty Officer 1st Class. He then began his second career
in Newport, R.I., as a civil servant working on the Trident Submarines until he reached the age of retirement.

He never forgot his roots in Punxsutawney, Pa. He loved and boasted to all about his childhood home and about the greatest weather prognosticator, Phil the Groundhog.

A true patriot, he was proud to make Bristol, “the most patriotic town in America,” his home for the rest of his life. He faithfully and joyfully kept the tradition every year of attending the Bristol Fourth of July parade and celebrations with his family and friends. He loved his Mummers and the bagpipers.

He always shared his love for the Navy. He would swell with pride when his Navy brothers, in their crisp white uniforms, marched by to the tune of “Anchors
Aweigh” played by the awesome Navy Band. Hooyah!

Richard never met a stranger. If he met you once he would remember you. If he met you twice, you were his friend. He was both a long time metal detecting enthusiast and an amateur ham radio operator, who went by the call sign W1HTO.

Richard Kenneth
Heitzenrater was a devoted family man, friend and patriot. He will forever and always be deeply loved and missed.

Graveside service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 12:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Chestnut Street, Bristol. A celebration of Richard’s amazing life will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the Cup Defenders Association, 230 Wood St., Bristol. Family and friends are all welcome to attend and share stories.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:  Bristol 4th of July Committee PO Box 561  Bristol RI  02809.

www.limafh.com

2024 by East Bay Media Group

Barrington · Bristol · East Providence · Little Compton · Portsmouth · Tiverton · Warren · Westport
Meet our staff
MIKE REGO

Mike Rego has worked at East Bay Newspapers since 2001, helping the company launch The Westport Shorelines. He soon after became a Sports Editor, spending the next 10-plus years in that role before taking over as editor of The East Providence Post in February of 2012. To contact Mike about The Post or to submit information, suggest story ideas or photo opportunities, etc. in East Providence, email mrego@eastbaymediagroup.com.