Frank Heinsohn, Jr., DDS, 79, of Folly Beach, SC, husband of Peggy Needham Heinsohn, passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday, February 14, 2015. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral service in Grace Episcopal Church, 98 Wentworth Street, Tuesday, February 17, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Bethany Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. in J. HENRY STUHR, INC., DOWNTOWN CHAPEL. Dr. Heinsohn was born in Charleston, SC on St. Patrick’s Day in 1935; he was the son of the late Frank Heinsohn, Sr. and Lottie Mappus Heinsohn. He attended Rivers High School in Charleston and then spent two years at The Citadel. He transferred to Dental School at UNC Chapel Hill. While playing cornet in the UNC marching band, he met a sassy, redheaded drummer, who later became his best friend and wife, Peggy Needham. They married and moved to Ft. Devons in Massachusetts, where he was a Captain in the U.S. Army Dental Corps. They later moved back to Charleston, where Frank was devoted to his wife and children, and his dental practice, dental assistants and patients of 46 years. A move to Folly Beach in 1975 allowed Frank to return to the place of his childhood summers. He hunted, shrimped, crabbed, and fished with many neighbors, family, and friends. He had a green thumb and helped grow roses for his love, Peggy. He loved celebrations, especially Oktoberfests and oyster roasts. He was a superb dancer and loved to polka with Peggy and his daughters. He retired from dentistry when he developed Parkinson’s disease twelve years ago. He remained an active member and the lowest bass voice in the choir of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Charleston. He enjoyed the outdoors as much as possible. Dr. Heinsohn was very socially active and involved in both his church and community all of his life. He was a member of many organizations, including: St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church (choir and council member), the Deutsche Bruederlicher Bundt (life member), the German Friendly Society, the Arion Society, the Sojourners Chapter 242 (past president, chapter surgeon and life member), the Charleston Rifle Club, the Folly Beach Exchange Club, the Optimist Club of Charleston (past president), the S.C. Dental Society (member of the Board of Peers), the French Huguenot Society, both the Charleston and the S.C. Rose Societies, and the Elks Club. He was an active alumnus of Rivers High School, The Citadel (honorary), and UNC Chapel Hill. He died the way he lived his life-with his Faith, his marriage, his family, and his many friendships intact. He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Peggy Heinsohn, of Folly Beach; his two daughters, Dr. Kathy Heinsohn and special friend, Dr. Walt Bell, of Brunswick, MD and Melisa Vinci and husband, Marty, of Bluffton, SC; his son, Frank Heinsohn and wife, Joan, of Great Mills, MD; foster daughter, Judy Pierce DuPont of Columbia, SC; and grandchildren, Meredith, Christine and A.J. Johnson, dalas Verdugo, Stacey Coleman and Sophie Heinsohn. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Theodora Warner Miller and Frances Lyons. He had many adoring nieces, nephews, godchildren, and friends, which are scattered throughout the world, which he loved to travel, especially by sea. The family is grateful for the care that Frank received during his illness, and especially from his caregiver, Susan Simmons. Memorials may be made to the Radio Ministry at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church, 405 King Street, Charleston, SC 29403 or to the South Carolina Wildlife Association, 715 Woodrow Street, Columbia, SC 29205. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston
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