Robert Hinkel, SGM (Ret), 12th SFGA

Richard · 10-17-2009, 10:49

Robert P. Hinkel Served Country, Community
Cincinnatti Enquirer, 16 Oct 2009

Family members say Robert P. Hinkel devoted his life to service - first to his country in the Korean War - and later through outreach efforts in his Lakeside Park community.

"The two greatest commandments, according to Matthew's Gospel, are to love God and love your neighbor," Dave Meyer, Hinkel's brother-in-law, said. "Bob was the epitome of those two commandments."

Hinkel, 75, co-founded the Blessed Sacrament Boosters and the Blessed Sacrament Corn Roast to help provide athletic equipment for youngsters and also spearheaded efforts to construct the ball fields at the Diocesan Catholic Children's Home in Covington. Hinkel striped the fields each day before heading to work. One of those fields now bears his name.

Hinkel was a postal worker for 38 years, retiring in 1989. As a letter carrier who walked his route, Hinkel was a fixture in the neighborhoods and delivered mail in Fort Mitchell as well as in the same Lakeside Park neighborhood where he lived.

Meyer said that while at work, Hinkel was constantly on the lookout for someone in the community that he could help.

He once observed an elderly man on his route living alone and visited the man each Sunday to help clean his home and care for him. He also spent several years helping a neighbor each Friday with a home renovation project because the man couldn't afford a contractor.

Hinkel dropped out of high school to serve in Korea and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for valor. After the war, he continued his service in the U.S. Army Reserve and became a member of the Army's elite forces, the Green Berets. He served for 26 years before retiring as a sergeant major in 1988.

After retirement, Hinkel continued his community service by visiting seniors at St. Charles Care Center in Covington. Meyer said he especially enjoyed singing for the Alzheimer's patients with his wife.

Hinkel is survived by his wife, Martha Hinkel of Lakeside Park, daughters Diane Comp and Denise Cenedella of Villa Hills, and Donna Hinkel of Crestview Hills, and son, Dennis Hinkel of Edgewood, as well as a sister, Viola Hinkel of Fort Mitchell and a brother, John Hinkel of Lexington.

Visitation is at Linnemann Funeral Home in Erlanger from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, with services to following. A memorial Mass will be held on Oct. 24 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Fort Mitchell, followed by a reception in the church undercroft. Cremains will be interred at St. John Cemetery in Fort Mitchell.

Memorials may be made to the Diocesan Catholic Children's Home, 75 Orphanage Road, Covington, KY 41017. Online condolences may be sent to linnemannfuneralhomes.com.