Colonel Keith Heiniger was born in Seneca, KS November 29, 1931. The son of William and Helen Heiniger, he was the youngest of 4 boys. He graduated from Seneca Public High School, received a BS Degree in Geology from Kansas State University and Master of Science in Geodesy from Ohio State University. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha social fraternity and Sigma Gamma Epsilon honorary society. He received his commission in the US Air Force in 1954. As a Regular Commissioned Officer, he was involved in numerous worldwide assignments cumulating his career with a Command Pilot Flight Rating and as the Director of Operational Intelligence, USAF Europe. During the Vietnam conflict, he was assigned to the Misty Fast FACS Squadron as a fighter pilot where he successfully flew 356 aerial combat missions accumulating over 900 hours in aerial combat. He was highly decorated for his actions in aerial combat with the Silver Star for gallantry, four Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism and fifteen Air Medals for meritorious actions. He retired from the Air Force in 1977 and became a member of the Order of Dandelions military pilots association. He became involved in professional land surveying and retired from the Wyoming DOT as a pilot in 1999. He married Margaret “Peggy” Shipman in 1953. He is survived by his wife and 4 daughters, Victoria Carlisle of Omaha NE, Christine Johnson of Reno, NV Lauri Heiniger of Parker, CO and Kelli Starr Peters of Las Vegas, NV; 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his grandchildren, Sean Johnson and Jennifer Starr. Memorial Services will be 10:00 a.m., Friday at Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel. A private burial will be at a later date in the Seneca City Cemetery. Lauer Funeral Home is in charge of the Kansas Arrangements.