KINGSBURY GRAFF “KING” HEIPLE, II age 69, beloved husband for 37 years of Holly (nee Frazier); devoted and loving father of Cynthia; cherished son of the late Kingsbury Graff, Sr. and Helen (nee Haberle); dearest brother of Jeanne Heiple, Holly D. Heiple, and Caroline Heiple Sokol; dear uncle, brother-in-law and friend of many.
King was born in Chicago on February 1, 1952 and passed away unexpectedly on September 7, 2021. He grew up in Cleveland Heights, graduated from Cleveland Heights High School in 1970 and went on to get his Electrical Engineering degree at Cleveland State University and his MBA from Case Western Reserve University. He met his wife, Holly Frazier Heiple when they were both working in an engineering lab together early in their education and they married in 1984 and settled in Chagrin Falls, where their daughter Cindy was born in 1991.
Self-employed as an Engineering Consultant and entrepreneur, he was a devoted husband, father, brother and uncle. His wife Holly was his indispensable other half and his daughter Cindy was the light of his life. He was deeply engaged in his daughter’s education and she credits him with bolstering her confidence and sense of self and launching her into life. The three of them shared a sensibility, warmth, quick wit and closeness to be envied by any family.
King loved to travel, cook, eat and host dinners for friends and family, especially at holidays, and always managed to come up with unusual and beautiful gifts for those close to him. He was smart, funny, inquisitive, stubborn and a great story-teller. He always fought for the underdog and was endlessly interested in everyone and everything, especially all things mathematical and scientific. Condolences have poured in even from his daughter’s and sisters’ friends who felt adopted by him into the family.
King was a fearless risk-taker in many ways throughout his life, with a passion for sky-diving in his younger years. He was also a cat-lover from early on and many much-adored cats passed through his life. A few weeks ago, he was remarking that he felt he had already used up at least 8 of his 9 cat-lives. After his cancer diagnosis in 2008, we all felt privileged that the ninth one lasted so long. He is survived by his wife Holly, his daughter Cindy, his sisters Jeanne, Holly and Caroline, four nephews, one niece, two great-nephews and four great-nieces. He is missed terribly by all those who loved him.
In lieu of flowers, contributions suggested in memory of King to the American Cancer Society. Celebration of Life Service FRIDAY, September 17, 2021 at 7 PM at THE FUNERAL HOME. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of King at THE DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATIONS CENTER OF CHESTERLAND 12811 CHILLICOTHE ROAD (Rt. 306, just south of Mayfield Rd.) FRIDAY 5 PM UNTIL SERVICE TIME. (FAMILY REQUESTES MASKS BE WORN)
Charity Name: AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY- MIDWEST DIVISION
Charity EIN: 131788491
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Susanne Niemitz-Bolle
When I met King for the first time on July 4th, 2016, I had been invited to his and Holly’s house in Hamburg, Germany. I was a colleague of Holly at Philips at the time.
Later that year, Holly and King invited my to move in with them into one of their spare rooms for the last three months of my project.
We became friends and very quickly I was welcomed and treated like a family member.
After I left Hamburg for a new project in January 2017, we stayed in touch. I came back to my friends and ‘my room’ at their place for several visits. Every time I met King, it was to have good company and enjoy talks about food, cooking, language, jigsaw puzzles and share news about both Cynthia and my son.
On one of these occasions I joined King for a Pink Floyd concert in Hamburg. I loved to have dinners with him and Holly. It always felt good to meet King.
When I was in Hamburg, we often shared the work in the kitchen. King did the cooking, I did the dishes. And the three of us enjoyed the food, the talks, watching some TV shows, and each other’s company.
We had to part when in March 2020 the Heiples moved back home when contacts were already restricted by Covid regulations. These restrictions also prevented me from visiting my friends and thus from meeting King again.
During a video call on Sunday, Sept. 5, I saw King for the last time. He seemed to be in very good mood, looked vivid and healthy, and was looking forward to enjoy retirement together with Holly.
It was unbelievable and devastating to read that he died so unexpectedly only two days later.
I will always remember him as an open-minded and warm-hearted friend, the caring husband of Holly, the proud father of Cindy, a gracious and intelligent man, a well-known customer at his preferred farmer’s market and a passionate cook. He leaves a big empty space in my life that cannot be filled again. I am grateful that I got the chance to know King as a friend and proud that he took me into his heart.
Holly, I hope that with the time going by you and Cynthia will find comfort and strength in the warmth and caring of friends and family.
My heart is filled with sorrow and my loving thoughts embrace you. I am thinking of you and I am sorry that I cannot be there during this difficult time. I cannot make your pain go away, but please know I am here for you with a virtual shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen with, or anything else you may need.
With deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences, also in the name of my son Eike.
Yours
Susanne
Sherry and Ed Machado
So sorry for your loss, praying for the family.
Ed and Sherry Machado
Dave Pelegrin
To Holly and family,
Very saddened on hearing of your loss. Fortunately we have great memories of mucho good times we shared with you and King. He was one of a kind ! A very great person. My condolences to you.
Evans family
We would like to extend our condolences to the family. May God help you to cope with the heavyweight of your loss. Thinking of you all.