Everett George Heinze Jr.

Everett was born on September 6, 1937 (Labor Day), to Everett and May Heinze in Mineola, New York, and grew up in nearby West Hempstead. At the age of six or seven, he had a vision of attending Cornell University and becoming a doctor, both of which he achieved. He learned to play the drums in high school and later, at Cornell, formed a Dixieland band called The Stumplifters with several other musicians. Ev also served as the band’s business manager, arranging performances at Cornell and aboard the Holland American Lines. The band even toured Europe, traveling from job to job in a Volkswagen bus. His time with The Stumplifters not only brought him joy but also enabled him to earn the funds needed to pursue medical school.

After earning his undergraduate degree at Cornell University in Ithaca, Everett attended Cornell University Medical College in New York City. He completed a one-year internship and a three-year residency in internal medicine at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

From 1967 to 1969, Ev served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps, including a one-year tour of duty in Vietnam. During this time, he served as interim chief of medicine and was awarded a Bronze Star for his service.

Upon returning to the United States, Everett pursued a three-year residency in neurology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. After completing his training, he joined the Austin Diagnostic Clinic, where his neurology practice steadily grew. Recognizing the need for advanced diagnostic tools, Ev collaborated with eight other physicians to bring the first CT scanner to Austin, significantly improving neurological diagnosis and treatment. He also played a key role in developing the St. David’s Rehabilitation Program, serving as its medical director for 35 years. Additionally, he established rehabilitation programs at North Austin Medical Center and Round Rock Hospital.

Ev’s dedication to innovation extended to alternative medicine; he learned acupuncture and helped many people quit smoking and manage their pain. He was also appointed by then-Governor George W. Bush to serve an eight-year term on the Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners.

On June 29, 1996, Ev married the love of his life, Elaine Burrows Erwin. They complemented each other beautifully and shared a deep bond. They were members of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. Ev and Elaine made countless cherished memories together, including trips to China, Russia, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, Europe, and numerous visits to Hawaii. Ev also enjoyed spending time at their second home in Horseshoe Bay, Texas, where he loved fishing. He also loved cheering on his favorite team, the Texas Longhorns.

Ev was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and May Heinze. He is survived by his loving wife, Elaine Heinze; his brother, Clifford Heinze, and sister-in-law, Pat Heinze, of Miller Place, NY; his children, Kirsten Caldwell and her husband Chris of Austin, Texas, Scott Heinze and his wife Henthe of Reno, Nevada, Kenton Heinze and his wife Kellye of Cedar Park, Texas, and Todd Heinze and his wife Robyn of Erie, Colorado; and his stepdaughters, Christina Smouse and her husband Chris of Austin, Texas, and Cindy Lodewick and her husband Patrick of Dallas, Texas. “Papa Ev” will be deeply missed by his grandchildren: Emma Nettles and her husband John, Michael Caldwell, Orion Heinze, Riette Heinze, Peyton Heinze, Sarah Moore and her husband Seth, Anna Heinze, Natalie Heinze, Jackson Heinze, Miles Lodewick, Lainie Lodewick, and Grey Smouse. Ev's great-grandchildren are Katherine Heinze, Sal Heinze, and Aaron Heinze.

A celebration of Ev’s life will be held on Friday, January 3rd, at 10:00 a.m. at The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, located at 3201 Windsor Road, with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd (www.gsaustin.org or P.O. Box 5176, Austin, TX 78763) or to One Word At A Time (through the Liz Keith Scholarship Fund at this link: https://t.ly/cQQgz or 7800 Shoal Creek Blvd., Suite 136-S, Austin, TX 78757). The family wishes to express their gratitude to Hospice Austin, HomeWell Care Services, and The Gathering at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church for their remarkable care and support.