Thomas Whitney Hincz

On Saturday, July 15, Tom stepped peacefully into Eternity.  Born on February 14, 1949, he was the son of George and Elizabeth Hincz of Wichita, Kansas.  Residing in various locations during his lifetime throughout the United States, most recently of Waterford, Wisconsin, where he served as a Town Board Supervisor from 2011-2013, and as Town Chairman from 2013-2023, caring deeply about Waterford and its citizens.  Tom also served a fifth term as a Racine County Board Supervisor.

For Tom, education was a lifelong process, attaining a Master’s Degree in Forestry, Bachelor Degrees in Industrial Design, Graphic Arts, and Engineering, all from Purdue University, as well as a Business Degree from Buena Vista College, Iowa.  Proud of his woodshop, Tom created most of the furniture in the home.

Car restoration was Tom’s passion. When restoring various cars during his lifetime, bolt by bolt, nut by nut, he painstakingly rebuilt a car with the same craftsmanship of years ago.  If the car was unique or a challenge to restore, that was the project in which Tom would embark. It all started with a 1954 Corvette he purchased in 1975.  He dreamed of the car since he was a kid. He spent all he had and he restored it as if it had rolled off the assembly line.   Tom went on to become a Master Judge for the National Corvette Restorers Society.   When Tom and Kristine were in a Lake Geneva restaurant with the Southeastern Wisconsin Corvette Club, Kristine saw an Amphicar driving into the lake. She remarked, “I want one of those!”  Within one month, Tom purchased three of them.  He restored two, using the third one for parts.  One was featured for months at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry as part of their display featuring Concept Cars. Among his restorations are three unique Hupmobiles and a 1964 GTO.

During his career, Tom was a respected Project Manager, overseeing the design and construction of several food manufacturing plants for major food corporations throughout North America. His fondest memories included working closely with the Dean Snyder Construction Company of Clear Lake, Iowa, building a Jello plant in Mason City, Iowa. 

Tom took fashion advice from no one while wearing a tee shirt, jeans and a zipper sweatshirt each and every day, and he will be remembered in that way.   He is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Kristine (nee Salvesen), his devoted son, Duston (Scarlett), his cherished granddaughter, Emmy, and his nephews, Brian and Scott O’Dell.  In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Cindy, and brother in law, Larry O’Dell. In honor of Tom’s close friend, Ricky Geiss, who has been challenged by Leukemia, the family welcomes donations to the Leukemia&LymphomaSociety@givenow.lls.org.

Thank you, to Rick McNeily, Greg Foat, and Don Schultz for all their help and concern; and, to the Tichigan Volunteer Fire Department for their compassion extended to Tom.   A gathering of remembrance will be held on Saturday, August 5, at the Tichigan Lake Lions Club, 6710 Big Bend Road, Hwy. 164, Waterford, Wisconsin, from 1:00 to 4:00. 

Tom’s family is confident that he is roaming the old barns in Heaven, searching for that one-of-a-kind  car waiting to be restored by him.  For all Tom was, and all he taught us, we love him dearly.

Thoughts for Thomas Whitney Hincz;

  • Sue and Rick Geiss says:

    We loved Tom dearly and will miss his mischievous smile.
    He was an incredible man , and this world was a better place because of him. He was like a second dad to our son Ricky. Rest in peace Tom.

    • Penelope Johnson says:

      I loved Tom he was a generous, loving and kind man. Thakyou Tom for all your generosity and kindness to me through the years. I love you and look forward to seeing you in heaven. Penny Johnson

  • Vadi & Tom Langtry says:

    For 35 years Tom was a loved and respected brother-in-law. He cared deeply about family and Tom and I will miss him immensely. We didn’t get to visit much but now there is a void in our family.

  • Paul T Garstecki says:

    I just read Tom’s obit. Well done. But as we knew him it only scratches the surface of how unique the man was. God Bless…Tall Paul (old Hillop)….

  • DAN DICKINSON says:

    There is only a small handful of people who served the Town of Waterford as well as Tom did. There is only a small handful of people in and around the Town of Waterford who took the time and effort to know what he did for the Town…while there are others who did not. Bless Tom, and bless those who appreciate what he did for the Town, and quite possibly and unknowingly, themselves. RIP Tom…..see you on the other side…..

  • Jennifer Czysz says:

    I will miss my dear friend. He kept on me to finish college with all i was going through, he would tell me when i was ready to quit, what would ur dad say. I teased him that he was worse than my dad and he was dad two. My heart hurts but I know he is watching us…. and shaking his head

  • Julie Crawford says:

    God bless you Tom… you will always be loved, never forgotten, and forever missed by many. Rest in peace my friend.

  • Jan Alvey says:

    What a gift to the town of Waterford was Tom Hincz. He really cared about the people he served.His intellect was amazing to watch. He planned and thought through his guidance of our community.He spent hours into days into weeks researching and directing the business of our Tichigan area as well as our Racine County. And ,yes as mentioned above ,that rascally smile never stop popping up.I miss him.

  • DeGraffenreid George says:

    We’ll never forget the first time we met Tom and the last time we talked. He welcomed us, encouraged us, supported us, counseled us (when we asked) and was always generously wise and kind. We will miss him, and never forget him.

  • Ryan Urban says:

    Over the last four years Tom and I formed a bond!!! We had many deep discussions about life and business. He welcomed my family as his own. My 10 year old daughter was saddened by this news. He took her in Xmas parade every year with his classic fire truck. His heart was huge for kids and The Town of Waterford!!! I always told him he was a teddy bear like my own father. They were old school tough on the outside and warm and compassionate on the inside when you got to know them. Tom is was a pleasure. Rest In Heaven old pal. Swim a couple laps.

  • Lou Rugani says:

    Tom and I had a mutual interest in vintage automobiles and, in particular, Hupmobile. Tom owned the very last Hupp ever built, and hosted the Hupmobile Club national meet in 2002 at his then-home in Kenosha County. Thank you for your friendship, Tom. You left us too soon.

  • Verna wren says:

    Tom was a devoted family man and a loving,caring brother in law… He helped me
    Just by talking with advice. He will be missed. Knowing him, he’s looking for a car to restore. Wish I visited my sister and him
    more. We will never forget you. 🙏🙏🙏🤟

  • Carol & Scott Lindee says:

    Our deepest condolences, Kristine and Duston! We loved Tom and enjoyed all of our time with him in Kenosha and with the Corvettes. Many great memories! (Never knew that the Amphicar was Kristine’s doing!) We will miss his friendship! We will be on a family vacation on August 5th so cannot attend the memorial, but our thoughts will be with you all! Our sympathies go out to you!!!

  • Mary and Tim Neu says:

    Tom had a surplus of informational advice for us, we appreciated and learned alot from him. Thankful for knowing him. Take care Kristine. Condolences to family.

  • Diane Wolf says:

    I have such fond memories of Tom in his role as project manager for Kraft Foods from my first meeting of him in Lafayette IN. Building Mason City just wouldn’t have happened without Tom. When he moved to Montreal to oversee the relocation of the Lifesavers plant the real fun began. He was a wonderful, smart, generous person with a strong opinion on everything! Love you Tom and hope that you are building more things wherever you are.

  • Steve Larry says:

    Tom was the reason we settled here on Tichigan. He met our son, Jason, on a plane while traveling on business and encouraged him to visit Waterford and the great recreational lake that Tichigan is. This was over 16 years ago. Tom and Kristine became friends snd neighbors and although we didn’t spend a lot of time together, whenever we did it was a joy. Tom had a big heart and was always willing to provide advice and support for from building our house to supporting my work with the WWMD. We feel blessed that we knew him as we did. Steve and Claudia Larry

  • Amy Giovannoni says:

    There are simply too many things to say about Tom. I met him through a mutual business friend and his gregarious nature and mischievous smile drew me right I n. A wonderfully brilliant and entertaining man. A kind and generous heart. Countless times he gave so much to people struggling to take their first step out of financial disparity. He loved his beautiful Kristine and was so proud of her singing talents and her overall beauty and grace. I loved the twinkle in his eyes when spoke her.
    Thank you both for allowing me the opportunity to know your family and to share his passion for business.
    I will surely miss him

  • Jerry Mulick says:

    I met Tom at our car show and told him I was interested in getting a 63 Corvette. He told me about one that Bill Braun was selling. I got it and ever since then we were lifelong friends. His generosity and friendship will always be remembered. He was great with our Breakfast Club at NCRS
    He will be missed.

  • Dennis Kazmierzak says:

    Tom will surely be missed by all his NCRS friends especially those of the Breakfast Club. I’ve thought about him often when I have a Bloody Mary and refer to it as breakfast because of Tom. We enjoyed his hospitality in Waterford when we visited and stayed at his “Boat House” on Lake Tishigan. A great friend surely missed.

  • David and Peggy McCarthy says:

    Every once in a while if you are fortunate, you cross paths with an extraordinary and brilliant individual. Tom was certainly in that class. It was a singular privilege to have known him for almost 40 years. During that time, I had the honor of knowing Tom as a client, a boss, a colleague, a mentor, and most importantly a friend. Professionally, Tom demanded a lot of those around him and made us all better because of it. Always, underneath that sometimes tough and demanding exterior, lay a heart of solid gold. My wife Peggy and I will miss his generous and compassionate spirit, his wisdom, his wit, and everything that made Tom the unique individual that he was. The world is a smaller place without him.

    Our heartfelt condolences go out Kristine, Duston, and all of his family and friends. Rest in Peace old friend.

  • Ren Martin says:

    It was a great privilege to work for and with Tom at Hobson and DSI on many Kraft Food projects. He was a wonderful mentor, who always tried to be helpful without appearing to. He loved the most complicated and difficult projects, but always found time to work on locating a Hupmobile part. I had dinner with him in Waterford in 2013 just before I retired and saw the amphicars and many other auto works in progress. Anything Tom worked on was done to the highest standard of excellence. He will be greatly missed.

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