Sprinkler Age A Publication of the American Fire Sprinkler Association
DEDICATED INDUSTRY VETERAN SUPPORTED THE NEXT GENERATION
Members and staff of the American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA) were saddened to learn that Past AFSA Chair of the Board, Joe Heinrich, Bamford Fire Sprinkler Company, Salina, Kan., passed away peacefully in his home on Nov. 23, 2023, after a private battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, sons Bryan (Katie) Heinrich and Brett (Trina) Heinrich, daughter Andrea (Brandon) Van Meter, and brother Paul (Janet) Heinrich. He has seven grandchildren who were his pride and joy: Ben Heinrich, Isaac Van Meter, Reese Heinrich, Jacob Van Meter, Madilyn Heinrich, Zoey Van Meter, and Gabriella Heinrich, as well as many nieces and nephews.
“Joe Heinrich exemplified what it means to be a true family man, community leader, and industry advocate,” says AFSA President Bob Caputo, CFPS. “His love of baseball and his Nebraska Cornhuskers were surpassed only by his love of family and for the fire sprinkler industry and his many friends within the AFSA community. Joe encouraged and inspired everyone he met. Always a kind word, Joe was the kind of man who inspired others to be like him, though few achieved the goal.”
MAKING AN IMPACT ON THE INDUSTRY
Heinrich began working in the fire sprinkler industry at Bamford, Inc., until relocating to Salina, Kan., in 1976. Here, he and Kathy started Bamford Fire Sprinkler Company with humble beginnings out of their home, eventually expanding to Shawnee Mission, Kan.
Heinrich became involved in AFSA in 1982, serving on multiple committees, including the Bylaws, Legislative, and Contractors Support & Advisory committees. He was actively involved in updates of the apprentice training modules and served as a judge for the National Apprentice Competition for several years. In addition to his AFSA involvement, Heinrich was a longtime member of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and served a term as president of its Kansas Sunflower Chapter.
Heinrich was elected to the AFSA Board of Directors 2003-2019 and served as Chair of the Board 2013-2015. During his tenure, Heinrich demonstrated leadership with integrity that included the vision and inception of the NextGen Initiative. He made many dear, life-long friends and remained actively involved in Board meetings following his time as Chair.
“My dad knew no strangers and made friends everywhere he went,” comments Brett Heinrich. “He left a lasting impression on so many with his huge heart, authenticity, integrity, and generosity. We knew him best for always doing what was right and honorable with humility and good cheer. Up to the end, he maintained his sense of humor, catching us off-guard at times with a well-timed wisecrack.”
He continues, “On behalf of our family, I extend our deepest gratitude for all the calls, prayers, visits, meals, cards, and well-wishes provided to our family. Your love, kindness, and generosity are genuinely appreciated and have touched our hearts during Joe’s illness and final days.”
CONNECTING WITH THE NEXT GENERATION
One of Heinrich’s many contributions to the industry was the creation of AFSA’s NextGen Initiative. While serving on the Board, he had been forming the idea that the industry needed to search for the next cohort of management. During a committee meeting, Meaghen Wills [Anchor Fire Protection Co., Perkiomenville, Pennsylvania] made a comment that resonated with him and solidified what he had been considering. In one of his 2016 Sprinkler Age columns, Heinrich noted, “It was time to begin searching for and developing the next generation of leadership. And not just for AFSA but the fire sprinkler industry in general. A relatively short time later, after much deliberation and discussion regarding avenues to pursue this initiative, I approached Meaghen about leading a group of her peers in gathering ideas and developing a structure for this initiative. Meaghen did not hesitate to accept the challenge, and the rest is, as we always say, history.”
Wills remembers that time well. “In 2014, Joe approached me at my second national committee meeting about starting a group to get more young people involved in the industry,” comments Wills, a past AFSA NextGen Chair. “I excitedly accepted without realizing the challenges in front of me. Through the first couple of years, there was endless pushback, opinions, negative feedback, etc., but Joe encouraged me to carry through with my ideas.”
She continues, “Joe saw the drive and determination in me that some others were skeptical about. Through his leadership and support, AFSA’s National NextGen Initiative has grown beyond expectations. It’s because of his idea that the fire sprinkler industry and AFSA have more young people involved. I’m forever grateful for Joe’s encouragement throughout my career. He is going to be very sorely missed.”
ENSURING A FUTURE FOR THE INDUSTRY
In his last Sprinkler Age column as Chair, Heinrich noted, “By far, my greatest satisfaction has come from the appointment of several entirely new members to our committees during my initial year. New faces and personalities from both the contractor community and the M/S [Manufacturer/Supplier] community. They immediately provided fresh input, ideas, and enthusiasm.”
It was evident through Heinrich’s work that he valued the infusion of new blood and young professionals into the industry, as noticed by AFSA Chair of the Board Linda Biernacki, president of Fire Tech Systems, Inc., Shreveport, Louisiana.
“Having worked with the NextGen Initiative members for many years, I can truly appreciate all Joe did to bring together the younger members of our industry,” comments Biernacki. “His work lives on through our NextGen members who will build upon his legacy to help ensure the future success of our industry.”
A memorial service was held on Nov. 25, 2023, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Salina, followed by an internment and celebration of life. To view Heinrich’s complete obituary, visit www.ryanmortuary.com/obituary/Joseph-Heinrich/.
