With patience, Heinrich crafted talent, success

A few years back, a former student approached Ted Heinrich.

"You kept me from pushing a shovel," he told Heinrich.

It seems the young man had been part of a building crew, consigned to basic shovel duty, when a supervisor caught him looking over blueprints during a break.

Ted Heinrich

The supervisor asked him if he could really read blueprints.

Not only could the young man read blueprints, he told the boss, he had discovered several mistakes.

The shovel-wielder was quickly promoted to foreman. His ascent was a credit to Heinrich, a legendary now-retired drafting and woodworking teacher at Lodi High.

During his 30 years at Lodi High, the soft-spoken Heinrich gained a reputation as a motivator, teacher and career-launcher. Many students won national awards for their drafting prowess. Dozens went on to careers in drafting, construction, engineering and architecture. Heinrich was named teacher of the year for Lodi High, the Lodi Unified School District and the San Joaquin Office of Education.

For his accomplishments as an educator, Heinrich has been selected as an inductee into the Lodi Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Lodi Boys and Girls Club. Other inductees are John Borelli, downtown merchant and community leader; Mark Chandler, executive director of the Lodi-Woodbridge Winegrape Commission; Charlene Lange, former director of Hutchins Street Square; and Joe Serna Jr., the late mayor of Sacramento.

With wire-rim glasses and salt-and-pepper hair, Heinrich, 68, has a slightly professorial appearance. But his career began with a love of flying sawdust and tools and craftsmanship.

Heinrich was born and reared in Lodi. His father, Louis, was a carpenter in the days when a carpenter did it all, from framing to cabinetry.

"He was a perfectionist, and he taught me the value of hard work," Heinrich said.

The Russian-born carpenter frequently brought his son to work sites. When 5 p.m. approached, Heinrich remembers asking his father if it was time to quit.

It was not time to quit until you finish the job I have given you, his father replied. While his father instilled attention to detail, Heinrich said his mother, Katie, gave him the gift of patience.

As a seventh-grader at Needham School, Heinrich remembers his very first woodshop project: a napkin holder. Even then, as a pre-teen, he knew his career would be involved in building and teaching.

He continued taking woodshop classes and working with his dad, refining his abilities, throughout high school. He later graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in industrial arts.

His first woodshop job was in Hawaii, where he taught -- and also learned.

"Several of my students were very adept at carving. The craft had been passed down through generations over there. They did beautiful work, and they shared some of their techniques with me."

After two years, he returned to California, and eventually took a full-time teaching job at Lodi High in 1968. (He continues to live here with his wife, Carol, and there three children live in Lodi as well: Karen Hunt, Scott Heinrich and Brenda Heinrich.)

In his early years at Lodi High, he continued teaching woodshop, revealing the magic of bandsaws and planers, routers and drill presses.

From Mr. Heinrich's shop emerged sets of water skis, unique lamps fashioned from grape vines, coffee tables, cedar chests, and bookcases. In his calm and quiet way, Heinrich inspired confidence and eagerness in his students.

"I'd usually get there early, and there would almost always be some students waiting to get into the woodshop to work on their projects."

Frequently, Heinrich would go to the woodshop at nights and weekends, become pleasantly consumed by the work, and lose track of time.

"I would get lost in it."

Heinrich eventually focused on drafting, teaching students how to do everything from hand lettering to drawing sketches and plans for firehouses, schools and homes.

As drafting became more technical, Heinrich returned to college to stay current. He was instrumental in preparing local students for national competitions sponsored by VICA, or Vocational Industrial Clubs of America. He led his charges to competitions in Louisville, Wichita and Kansas City. Heinrich's students won state and even national championships.

Heinrich continues to work for Lodi Unified part-time as a job shadowing coordinator.

What were his greatest accomplishments as an educator?

Heinrich does not hesitate.

"The success of my students."

Those interested in attending the Hall of Fame dinner Sept. 25 may contact the Boys and Girls Club at 334-2697.