ALVIN HEIN

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ALVIN HEIN

July 24,1935 - July 19, 2025

On Friday night, Alvin expressed wanting to go home and then he went to be with Jesus.

Alvin is survived by his wife Elma (Vogt) and his son Mark of Winnipeg. He is also survived by his sister in-laws Lydia Hein and Sylvia Hein and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is predeceased by his parents Gustave and Lena Hein, brothers Herman, Edward and sister Lea and husband Russel Baldwin and sister Mildred and her husband Stanley Belluk.

Alvin was born in an old farmhouse near Brunkild, Manitoba. Alvin grew up on a farm during the depression. Life was hard and money was scarce. He attended Brunkild, Upland and Allinson Schools. At the age of 17, he worked for his cousin Herman in the harvest season. From there he left for the city and worked at the Eaton mail order store for the next five years. By 1958, he saved enough to buy his first 80 acres in the Starbuck/Brunkild area and he was able to start farming again with his brothers. He farmed cereal and oil crops. Money was tight when he was young, and this forced Alvin to become very handy. He could fix anything on the farm. In the winter months, he worked at the sugar beet processing plant. Alvin also worked at the Winnipeg airport from 1970 -73 as the head of security. Alvin and Elma married on November 28, 1970. They lived in River Heights and Alvin commuted to the family farm for work each day. Alvin continued farming with his brother Herman until 1996.

Alvin became fascinated with aircraft at the age of six when the RCAF pilots in training were flying over the countryside. In the winter 1966 he was stricken with rheumatic fever and was hospitalized for six weeks. By mid-summer he was given a clean bill of health and made plans to work on his private pilot’s license and was licensed in 1967. He sold his tailor craft and in 1976 bought a new Bellanca Scout and started his aerial application business (crop-spraying). On a special note, there is a painting on the walkway in Gimli of one of Alvin’s planes that he sold to the Air Cadet League. In 1979, he bought his Cessna Ag Truck. Alvin had well over 3000 flying hours during his years of being a pilot. Alvin absolutely loved flying.

After retiring from farming and spraying he bought his Piper Arrow and along with Elma flew to visit relatives in western Canada and flew day trips to the International Peace Gardens, Grand Forks, Morden, Crystal City and Altona, etc. He spent many days flying for pure enjoyment and joked about his $100.00 burgers at different stops around the province. Alvin even flew to Slaten, Texas! Alvin volunteered his time with Young Eagles, the airshow Sun and Fun in Florida, and Operation Red Nose. He tried golf for a few years, but his knees forced him to give up the game.

After selling the farm Alvin bought a hangar at Lyncrest airport where he made many new aviation friends. He brought his John Deere tractor and mower with him to the airport and became the unofficial runway grass cutter.

Alvin had a passion for travel. Each year, he and Elma embarked on a road trip across the States. They visited most of the states and Alvin boasted about not needing a road map because he knew the states so well.

His favorite winter destination was Hawaii where they spent 15 enjoyable winter vacations including their honeymoon. Alvin surprised his son Mark with a trip to Hong Kong, China in 1991.

Along with Elma, they have been attending the Church of the Way since the summer of 1970. Alvin served as an usher.

Gone flying - Alvin

THOMSON “IN THE PARK”

204-925-1120

Tributes: www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 26, 2025