Leo Hendrich

Leo Hendrich, 99, retired owner of H/S Products Inc.  Was born August 24, 1920 at Sylvan Grove, KS, died peacefully on Saturday, August 31, 2019. Born to Joseph and Anna Hendrich. Leo was WWII veteran, past president of the Wichita Manufactures Associations, officer of the Gideons International of KS, and on the Board of Directors of the Union Rescue Mission.

Oldest of 10 children, he was often called the patriarch of the family.  One of his earliest memories of childhood was lying on his back on the floor, pushing a baby buggy with his feet.  He was helping out his mom by comforting his younger siblings and keeping them from crying.

He father, Czechoslovakian, went to school in Germany where he learned German.  His mother was German.  Like many immigrant families who wanted their children to learn English and learn it well, German was only used “when they didn’t want their kids to know what they were saying.”

Very poor describes the family Leo grew up in. “We were poor” but Grandma always raised a good garden and they as a family always had plenty to eat.  There was a time when Leo went to a city school and saw kids eat sandwiches with lunch meat! Grandma made their sandwiches with peanut butter.  Leo never dreamed he could have a home that would have meat sandwiches.

Our Dad graduated from 8th Grade in 1932.  He was mostly self taught and learned things along the way.  He was quick, intelligent, and knew the value of work.  When asked what they did on vacation Leo said they never took vacation, but worked, worked, worked!  Maybe that’s why later he took many vacations, visiting every State in the Union.

His first car was a 1925 Dodge that he bought for $35.  Later he bought a second car, a Pontiac coupe for $350 and found many other things much cheaper than we could get them today.

Leo had an unseen passion for taking pictures, and creating beauty in this way.  He favored flowers, birds, landscapes as well as people.  This was something he did on his off hours, vacations, but nevertheless was looked on with excellence.  He always created balance, beauty, and focus in his photography.

Our Dad was always involved in church and other ministries because of his commitment and love for the Lord.  Time in the Gideons and Union Rescue Mission were treasured moments.  He was on the Church Board at First Free and he, along with our mother, were instrumental in starting West Free Church which grew out of a Bible Study in their basement.

Most of all our Dad was a man of prayer.  He often went to the “Quiet Room” at the health center to pray for his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and other family members.

Proceeded in death by his first wife, Gertrude, by brothers, William and Rueben Hendrich. Survivors include his wife Margaret “Peggy” Hendrich, son Richard (Sheila) Hendrich, daughter Nancy (Norman) Regier, brother, Robert; sisters, Dorothy Minor, Beth McDonald, Mildred Hlad, Miriam Felts, Norma Jean Phillips and Alice Dawson; 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Memorials to the Gideons International. Share condolences at WWW.CozineMemorial.com. Broadway Mortuary.