Walter Heinzel

Walter Heinzel was born into a family of textile entrepreneurs in the village of Jetřichov. After leaving school Heinzel graduated from the University of Dresden as an engineer in the field of colours and textile chemistry. From 1935 to 1937 he served in the Czechoslovak Army before working as a chemist in his father’s company. Heinzel also diversified into cattle breeding and took over the management of nearby weaving mill.

Heinzel represented his local ski club, competing in several winter sports. Along with members from the club he competed in the four-man bobsleigh at the 1936 Garmisch-Partenkirchen Olympics, finishing 12th in the second sled representing Czechoslovakia. After the Olympics he fought during World War II but was captured by the Americans. Once the war was over Heinzel moved to Germany where he tried to start several businesses including a woodworking company and an agricultural company on Reichenau Island in Lake Constance.

By 1952 Heinzel had emigrated to Canada where he settled in British Columbia and worked at a pulp and paper company in Vancouver. He started out as a designer at the company, eventually reaching a post as a senior manager before his retirement. In the city of Duncan, British Columbia he helped to found a sailing, rowing, and hockey club. To coincide with the 1988 Calgary Olympics Heinzel was made an honorary member of the Canadian Olympic Committee for his services to sport.