Richard "Buzz" Hinz

Buzz Hinz, age 93, passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at his Appleton home to join his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, in heaven. Buzz was born on November 17, 1931, in Kansas City, Kansas, to the late Richard F. and Amanda (Schoenick) Hinz. His family moved to Appleton in August of 1944, and he attended St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church School for the 8th grade, graduating from Appleton High School in 1949. He met “The One” in February of 1953 and married Marion “Mary” Rohloff on September 25, 1954. Buzz was employed by the Kimberly Clark Corporation for over 43 years. Buzz started at KC in 1950 at the Lakeview Mill in the finishing room, worked up to Mill Manager at the Atlas Mill in Appleton, and spent the next twenty-five years at Atlas until his retirement on March 1, 1993. With Mary, Buzz was an active member of Mount Olive Ev. Lutheran Church since 1980. Over the years he enthusiastically participated in many volunteer projects, especially enjoying his fifteen years as a reading tutor to first graders and mowing the church lawn on the John Deere. For over 40 years the couple enjoyed a vacation home at Lake Nokomis near Tomahawk. He especially enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s activities and sporting events.

Buzz is survived by his wife of seventy-years: Marion Hinz; three children: Richard P. Hinz, Lisa (Scott) Semrau, and Lori (Don) Hansen. His grandchildren were the apples of his eye – Nathan Magee, Trisha (Todd) Meisner, Tyler (Aimee) Semrau, and Kayla (Chase) Rogers. His loving great-grandchildren were Noelle Olivia Meisner and Luca Buzz Meissner. There are also many nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.

Buzz was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father Harold, his in-laws Paul and Meta Rohloff, sisters Marge (Norm) Schleitwiler, Phyllis (Les and Glen) Winkler Hass, Doris (Ken) Falk; a brother Ken (Marilyn) Hinz; brothers-in-law Paul (Verna and Clydene) Rohloff, Carl (Bernice) Rohloff, Robert (Donna) Rohloff, Harvey Rohloff, and Ken (Cleone) Rohloff; and sisters-in-law Louise (Les and Arnie) Albrecht, Ruth (Bob and Gene) Smith, Dorothy (Ernie) Hanson, and Alice (Elroy) Peterson.

The Christian Funeral Service for Buzz will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church, located at 930 E. Florida Avenue in Appleton. Rev. Robert Raasch will officiate, and burial will take place at Highland Memorial Park. Friends may call directly at the church on Saturday from 9:00 AM until the hour of the service.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to benefit Mount Olive Ev. Lutheran Church or Fox Valley Lutheran High School.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to faithful neighbors Karissa and Josh Ring, and Jay and Shelley Vanderhoof, as well as Ben, Heather, and Erica of ThedaCare Hospice. For many years he was under the care of Dr. Robert Wilson and nurse Ashley as well as Dr. Jack Anderson. We will be forever grateful for the love and care you showed to our entire family. You will never be forgotten.