I knew Tyler less than 6 months but if you know me it doesn’t take long to make friends. In the short while I knew him, I saw him make great music with other talented people at the studio where we hung out. I took a trip out to Los Angeles and hanging out with Tyler during that trip is a personal highlight for me. These images were captured from January to May of 2019 in the time when we were together. Unfortunately, Tyler lost his life in July of 2020 and I truely wish I’d spent more time with him in that time inbetween. Let these images stand as a record of a gentle soul and someone who was taken far too soon.
Tyler Anthony Hein, age 23, of Stillwater, Minnesota passed away on July 18, 2020 following several years of bravely battling addiction. Tyler was born on December 29, 1996 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Jerome and Michele Hein. He graduated from Stillwater Area High School in 2015 and pursued his dream of joining the United States Marine Corps. Tyler achieved the honor of United States Marine in October 2015. He went on to become a crash fire rescue specialist and certified EMT. Tyler was a talented musician where he found a great sense of community through several collaborators and friends he thought of as family. Tyler enjoyed his work at Capras Utilities and valued the independence it gave him. Tyler was an avid outdoorsman, particularly enjoying duck, deer, and bear hunting as well as fishing with his father and his friends. He served on several mission trips to Robin’s Nest Children’s Home in Montego Bay, Jamaica and hoped to continue his work there someday. Tyler’s big plans for this year included becoming a certified yoga instructor, buying his first home, and prioritizing his sobriety. Tyler is preceded in death by his grandfathers, Tony Law and Orv Hein. He is survived by his parents, Jerry and Michele Hein; sister Alex (Jeff) Theismann; grandmothers Evelyn Law and Glorian Hein; girlfriend Maddy Boettner and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Tyler will be remembered for his uncanny ability to light up a room with laughter and his fierce loyalty to those he loved. He is infinitely missed by those who loved him. Please join our family in fighting the opioid epidemic to honor Tyler and those lost before him. You may make donations to the Tyler Hein Memorial Fund, Lake Elmo Bank, PO Box 857, Lake Elmo, MN 55042 or by dropping off your donation at any Lake Elmo Bank location.