Michael Hein

Feb 21, 1932 -

Jun 26, 2021

Michael F. Hein, M.D., died at home in Green Valley, Ariz., on June 26, 2021, at the age of 89. Michael was born on Feb. 21, 1932, in San Antonio, Texas, and was raised by his parents Walter F. Hein, M.D., and Bertrice K. Hein. He grew up in cities and towns across the West during his father's career as a flight surgeon with the Army Air Corps and the U.S. Air Force.

Michael graduated from the University of California Berkeley, and the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. He completed his residency in general surgery at the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine. During his residency he met his future wife, Marlene, who was a nurse.

In 1965, Michael and Marlene moved to Anchorage, Alaska. Michael went into private practice as a general and vascular surgeon and was active at Providence Hospital. He had a very full and busy practice and was known in the community as a gifted and caring trauma surgeon. He continually incorporated the latest surgical techniques and diagnostic equipment into his practice, particularly in the area of vascular surgery. He retired from his medical practice in 1993. He and Marlene divided their time between their home in Anchorage and their cabin on the beautiful Kenai River. During his years in Alaska, he touched the lives of many patients and friends alike with his kindness.

In 2003, they began life as snowbirds, spending part of the year in Green Valley, and in 2010, they permanently moved to Green Valley, where Michael made many new friends and was able to stay in touch with close friends of many years from the College Village neighborhood.

Michael's personal life was very important to him. He especially enjoyed being outdoors and taking part in the many activities that Alaska offers, especially fishing with his sons and Marlene on the Kenai, Susitna and Copper rivers. Michael also spent many weekends at his farm in Palmer, where he enjoyed making improvements while the boys explored the Matanuska Valley. While working in the garage at home building tractors and trailers in his spare time, he could always be heard listening to classical music, his favorite being Rachmaninov.

Michael is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marlene; three sons, Michael Hein of Washington, D.C., Anthony Hein, M.D., of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Mathew Hein of Los Altos, Calif.; grandsons, Nicholas, Connor, Timothy, Eric and Michael; granddaughters, Annelise and Olivia; sister, Jeannelle; and daughters-in-law, Catherine, Jacqueline and Stephanie. He was preceded in death by his parents.

A funeral mass took place at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Green Valley.