Larry K. Heikkinen

Larry K. Heikkinen, 74, of Eustis, Florida, passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2016. He was born in Toivola, MI, on December 5, 1942 to the late Toivo Aalmer Heikkinen and the late Hulda Kemppa (Heikkinen) Naasko. He was with his loving wife, Mary (Miller) Heikkinen for 30 years.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX. He moved to Central Florida from San Diego, CA, in 2004.
He served as Chief Warrant Officer and Helicopter Pilot in the U.S. Army, 1966-1970.
His professional career spanned 40 years in management positions in Operations and Research and Development during which he directed start-ups, spin-offs, and high growth turn-arounds. Much of this time was spent in medical manufacturing roles at companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Deseret Medical, and American Optical.
His career allowed him to travel the world, working or just visiting such places as Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, England, Hawaii, Alaska, and the Bahamas.
His hobbies involved cooking, skiing (prior to moving to Florida), and reading financial newspapers/magazines/newsletters which kept him abreast of world events. He loved serving as a mentor, which allowed him to build deep life-long relationships with colleagues and friends. But his major joy was spreading humor everywhere he went to people he knew or had even just met.
He was a loving husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend to all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife: Mary (Miller) Heikkinen of Eustis, FL; son: Eric Heikkinen, San Antonio, TX; sister: Jeanne A. Barnett, Clearlake, CA; brother: Kenneth L. Heikkinen, Lexington Park, MD; nieces: Lynne, Carole, and Lisa; and nephews: Mark, Michel, David, and Keith.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Harden/Pauli, 1617 S. Bay Street, Eustis, FL 32726 (352) 357-4126.
His ashes will be interred at a later date at the beautiful Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL, where he will be honored for his military service in the Armed Forces, with a small portion lovingly kept by his wife, Mary, until she can be joined with him forever.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to:

Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500
Chicago, IL 60611
(888) 733-6741

or

Compassionate Care Hospice
214 E. Washington Street, Suite C
Minneola, FL 34715
(352) 415-0778