Heinz Fritz Lehman

Heinz Fritz Lehman May 3, 1931 - December 15, 2024 Heinz Lehman, 93, passed peacefully in bed at the Suncoast Hospice Center with his beloved wife Linde holding his hand on Sunday, December 15, 2024. 

Heinz was born to Frederich and Luise Lehman in Biberach, Germany on May 3rd of 1931. He spent his childhood as a “leftie” in a classroom that taught all ages and taught him to write with his right hand. He was eight at the start of WW 2 and just barely a teenager when it ended. During those years he often had to provide for his mother and sister as the man of the house. As he told the stories he hunted rabbits and charmed some Allied soldiers for bread and canned milk and maybe a few cigarettes. After the war, and his father’s return in 1952 at the age of 21; Heinz left the town of Biberach in search of a new start. He landed in Kitchener, Ontario Canada with a small close knit German community. He became a Canadian citizen, went to college, and worked for a construction company as a foreman. Canada was not the end game, however, and in 1964 he made the big move south of the border to Detroit, Michigan where he purchased a travel agency on 9 mile road. Beneker Travel, with its purple shag carpet, was attached to the front of his home making for a short commute to the office each day. The young bachelor was busy building his business and his social life as President of the German American club where he was also a Shuhplattler dancer. Many wonderful group tours were led and organized by Heinz, but something was missing. On a visit home to Biberach in 1967, Heinz met the love of his life when his sister introduced him to her friend Siglinde at a party. Though they only had a few days together during his trip, he knew. After 2 years of long distance calls and letters he came back to marry his bride on March 8, 1969. The happy couple moved to Detroit where they grew their family to include two daughters, becoming a father at the age of 44. But it was cold in Detroit so in 1977 they decided to move back to Germany, purchasing a new travel agency in Bernau am Chiemsee. Never one to sit still for long and wanting his girls to experience the American dream they packed up once again for the US when a travel agency came on the market in sunny St. Petersburg Florida in 1980. In St. Petersburg he found his comfort and in time a new career. Reinventing himself with the purchase of a pool supply company in 1983 and growing his business to include a small fleet of trucks and some incredible stories like the time his crew found a manatee swimming in a pool after a hurricane. In 1995, he began his final career as a loyal Publix man. For 25 years until his retirement at 89 he greeted and got to know his customers, many of which made sure to only come through his line. His daughters remember him as the man who could do anything and who pushed them to always give a little more than 100%. It surprised no one when he excavated by hand, with no heavy equipment, a swimming pool he discovered in his backyard, helped his daughter float a keg on her 25th birthday because a hurricane canceled her party, or encouraged his daughter’s to buy the house next door so he could be their handyman extraordinaire and keep an eye on them. 

His greatest accomplishment, however, was as Husband to Siglinde Lehman, Dad to Jennifer Mackie and Jaqueline Lehman Meggison, Father-in-law to Ryan Mackie and James Meggison and Opa to Austin, Emma, Turner, Keller, Corey, Jack and Brody. In honor of Heinz's joyful spirit, we will gather together, share stories, and celebrate a life so well-lived in the New Year. Date and location TBD and will be provided to family & friends. Have a good Fahrt, Heinzie!