Heinz Spielvogel,70,of Charlestown, Rhode Island, formerly of Ridgefield, Connecticut, took his last earthly motorcycle ride on September 27, 2026.

Heinz was the son of Stanislav and Helga Spielvogel, who immigrated to the United States from Javorník, Olomoucký Kraj, Czechoslovakia. Heinz came to this country in 1969 and became a US citizen on June 18, 1976.

Heinz leaves behind his life navigator and the love of his life, Vicki Rogers; his two brothers, Petr and Stanislav(Mary), and their families including his four nieces Amy, Jennifer, Heather and Dana. Heinz was predeceased by his sister in law Kris and his nephew Peter. Plus hundreds of friends whose lives he touched through his remarkable travels, adventures, and friendships.

Heinz devoted 27 years to the Norwalk Police Department in Connecticut, retiring as a Sergeant in 2004. During his career, he served in numerous divisions, including Patrol, the Marine Unit, SWAT and Special Services. He was also a member of the Norwalk Police Department Pistol Team.

Throughout his career, Heinz received numerous letters of appreciation from the citizens of Norwalk whose lives he touched, as well as many departmental commendations and citations. Among his honors were two Distinguished Service Awards and a Medal of Merit, which he received in 1989 after responding to a medical emergency and saving the victim's life.

His years in law enforcement reflected his commitment to service, his curiosity about people, and his willingness to take on challenges others might have avoided.

Following his retirement, Heinz moved to Charlestown, Rhode Island, where he embraced life to the fullest and began an entirely new chapter.

He earned his Airline Transport Pilot license in 2008 and embarked on a second career as a professional pilot. Heinz flew a variety of aircraft, including the Beechjet, the Otter, and numerous corporate aircraft. He was also the proud owner of his own "fleet" of private airplanes over the years, including his beloved Stinsons and, most recently, his Cessna 180 Skywagon taildragger.

Heinz logged close to 10,000 hours in the air, flying in all kinds of conditions and taking on an extraordinary variety of missions. His aviation career included relief flights after Hurricane Katrina in Florida flying check runs to and from banks. He also transported corporate executives-many of whom became his friends.

Aviation was far more than a career for Heinz; it was one of his greatest passions. He remained deeply involved in the flying community through the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and as a member of the Groton, CT chapter of the Quiet Birdmen, known simply as the QBs.

Heinz always enjoyed flying into grass airfields where he'd pop a tent and camp over a night or two.

Together, Heinz and Vicki traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada, exploring new places and creating memories that reflected Heinz's enduring sense of curiosity and adventure.

In 2010, Heinz entered his first Hoka Hey Motorcycle Challenge, an extreme 10,000-plus-mile endurance motorcycle challenge across North America and Canada designed to test the physical, mental, and emotional limits of its riders. Participants travel extraordinary distances, sleep outdoors, and navigate without GPS.

Heinz went on to participate in eight Hoka Hey challenges.

Along the way, he formed lasting and meaningful friendships with motorcyclists from across the country, many of whom became part of his extended family. For Heinz, the miles were only part of the journey. The people he met along the way mattered just as much.

Heinz was larger than life-in both stature and personality.

A true Renaissance man, he possessed an insatiable curiosity about the world and a deep appreciation for food, wine, literature, science, art, travel, aviation, motorcycles, and adventure. He approached life with enthusiasm, independence, humor, and an extraordinary willingness to experience whatever came next.

One of the greatest joys of Heinz's life was being a mentor and father figure to James Kudelchuk, a young man he met 27 years ago while Heinz was flying for New England Airlines.

James was a 20-year-old young man working at the reservation desk, fueling planes and baggage loader at NEA. What began as a chance encounter grew into a lifelong and deeply meaningful relationship. Heinz became a mentor, father figure, and friend, generously sharing his knowledge, experience, encouragement, and love of aviation.

Today, James is 45 years old and a pilot-just like his beloved mentor, Heinz.

Their relationship reflected so much of who Heinz was: loyal, generous, encouraging, and willing to invest himself fully in the lives of the people he cared about.

Heinz leaves behind not simply memories, but stories-stories of police work and airplanes, motorcycles and endless roads, meals shared, wine enjoyed, books discussed, adventures undertaken, and friendships forged along the way.

He will be deeply missed by Vicki, his family, and the hundreds of friends who were fortunate enough to share a piece of his extraordinary journey.

A Celebration of Heinz's Life

A celebration of Heinz's life will take place on:

Friday, October 16, 2026

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Ocean Mist

895 Matunuck Beach Road

Matunuck, Rhode Island

Come prepared to share stories, laughter, and memories of a man who was never content to simply watch life go by.

He lived it.

He explored it.

He embraced it.

And he did it on his own terms.

Until we meet again, Heinz... STAND BY!