Keith A. Hinrichsen

Keith A.Hinrichsen, 80, died Sunday at Dignified Adult Care Home in Cottonwood. He was born in Clinton, Iowa on May 3, 1923, the son of Emil and Margaret (Landguth)Hinrichsen and graduated from Clinton High School in 1941. He married Margaret (Matteson) Hinrichsen of Mankato, Minnesota on November 10, 1945. Mr. Hinrichsen served as an aviator in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1970 retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. During his career he flew carrier-based torpedo bombers, helicopters leading rescue units with the Pacific Fleet, and airships, commanding the final operational flight of the Navy\u0027s lighter-than-air program in August of 1962, and had begun jet training at the time of his retirement in 1970. After retiring from the Navy he earned a degree in Business Administration from the U. of California at Berkeley. He worked for the Alameda Assessor\u0027s Office, retiring as Supervisory Auditor/Appraiser in 1985, then served as consultant for the Counties of Alameda and of San Diego until 1989. He moved to Cottonwood in 1990. Until illness ended his participation, was active in the Verde Valley Gem and Mineral Club and in The Naval Airship Association, holding offices in both organizations. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Amos (Daly) Jessup of San Diego, CA, and Leigh Hinrichsen of Lakewood, CO and one grandchild, Ariel Jessup of San Francisco, CA. A model husband, father, friend and citizen, a man of integrity and inner strength, he will be missed, and loved well beyond his span of years on earth. No public services are planned. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery. It was his desire for memorials to be sent to the National Museum of Aviation History, 1750 Radford Boulevard, Pensacola, Florida. Westcott Funeral Home assisted the family with these arrangements.