Leo J. Heidebrecht

After graduating from Inman High School in 1955, Leo joined the US Air Force with dreams of becoming a pilot. But with the stature of 6’6”, he was too tall to fit into a cockpit. So A1C Heidebrecht became an Air Policeman. He was first stationed at Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and his duty was walking the perimeter of the base and guarding the airplanes. He commented that there was one light pole, so the Air Policeman on duty would stand under it because at night there were many strange sounds coming out of the desert.

Next, Leo was stationed at Paine Air Force Base in Everett, WA where he continued as an Air Policeman. In 1958, he married Ima Klaassen and they started their family with the birth of Leon. Then in 1960, Leo was discharged from the Air Force after serving four years. Leo, Ima, and Leon drove home to Inman, KS where Leo worked at Buhler Mills for the summer.

Then Leo moved the family to Pittsburg, KS so he could attend Pittsburg State University. Next, the family moved back to Inman while Leo attended McPherson College and earned his BS degree in elementary education. Immediately, he got an elementary teaching job in Peabody, KS and at this time Linda was born. Then Leo got an elementary science and PE job in Hamilton, KS and the next year he taught reading and coached junior high sports. Leo then completed and graduated with his MA degree from KSTC in Emporia, KS. This degree, along with a specialist degree in administration from Emporia State University, moved Leo up to elementary principal. Leo also served as superintendent one year at Hamilton. Inman tugged at his heart again, so in 1976 Leo moved the family back home where he was an elementary principal for five years.

In 1981, Leo and Ima divorced and he moved to Lyndon, KS to be principal. There he married Martha White, and her two youngest children, Brett and Kristi, came to live with them after their father passed. Leo retired in 1997 after devoting 31.5 years to education, and built a home by the Lake of the Ozarks, MO. Various students, staff members, and fellow administrators wrote countless thank you notes to Leo for giving them encouragement, support, advice, etc. Leo was a beloved educator.

Leo was a member of the Lions Club, rock and gem clubs, and wood carving clubs. He became a master wood carver after retiring and received numerous blue ribbons for his carvings at the Kansas State Fair. Leo was also a volunteer fireman while living in the Missouri Ozarks. Later, he and Martha divorced and Leo moved to Homestead Estates of Wichita.

Leo is survived by his children: Leon (Ruth) Heidebrecht of Inman, KS and Linda (Steve) Innes of Belton, MO. Stepchildren: Scott (Jen Seely) White of Vallejo, CA, Skip (Kristen) White of Cheney, KS, Brett (Jodi) White of Andover, KS, Kristi White of Overland Park, KS. Grandchildren: Stephen, Aaron, Braden, Briley, Connor, Olivia, Christian, Kaleigh, Tanner, Tyler, and Kelsi. Two great-grandchildren. Beloved dog Rose.