Indulis "Henry" Piziks

Indulis (Henry) Piziks sailed away from home on Wednesday, July 8th, 2020.

Indul leaves behind a legacy and beautiful memories. He impacted everyone he met and is loved by many. His wife Linda Lacy, four siblings Maris Piziks, Waldis Piziks, Vija Pittenger, and Arija Rohrig and their children; five daughters Irisa Furlo, Miriam Edwards, Sue James, Elaine Pruis, Rose Piziks; his fifteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren will miss his spirit, generosity, intellect, wisdom, love of reading, authenticity, and grand sense of adventure. He is our hero.

Indul fled Latvia as a six year old child with his mother Wilma Pizika and two brothers just ahead of the Russian invasion during World War II. After fighting with the Latvian Legion his father Alfreds Piziks reunited with the family in Germany. They spent several years as refugees in Europe, hoping to return to a free Latvia. During that time his sisters were born in Belgium. The family finally was able to immigrate to the United States under the sponsorship of a Georgian farmer. They arrived in Rotterdam, New York aboard the S.S. Zuiderkruis on August 9th, 1952. The family was released from the sponsorship and settled in Saginaw, Michigan. Indul was nationalized as a US Citizen on his 34th birthday, December 5, 1972.

Indul graduated from Arthur Hill High School and Trade School. He worked at Home Dairy on Genesee Street where his love of butter materialized. He was a draftsman at a sail making shop built a small wooden fishing boat for his family. He and Latvian friends spent many hours outside playing war games building a massive fort in the woods. In his early 20s he married Sue Frost and started his family in Silver Lake, MI, where he worked for Ford Motor Company.

Eventually he became a mechanical engineer, graduating from General Motors Automotive Institute. During his career he earned several patents for inventions including the life-saving collapsible steering column, intermittent wipers, and other steering column safety features. Indul, known as "Henry" in his professional life, also worked at Baker Perkins, and Amigo, Delphi Steering Gear, and retired from GM as a senior project manager.

He was a true craftsman, building beautiful keep-sake chests and practical furniture for his family. Over a three year period he completed a 46 foot ferro-cement sailboat at his Mershon Street, Saginaw home, launching in 1977, which is moored at Bay City Yacht Club to this day.

His favorite sailing destination was the North Channel of Lake Huron. His children enjoyed many summer days on the water and nights under the stars. In 2017 he and his wife Linda travelled to the tip of South America and sailed the Cape, a lifelong dream fulfilled.

Indulis was a soulful musician. He had a beautiful voice and contributed to the Latvian Club ensemble. He would sing sea shanties, folk music, and the classics. He shared his love of music providing opportunities and support as his daughters developed exceptional skills in violin, cello, trumpet, piano, and voice.

Throughout his life he explored spirituality, seeking understanding of who he was and the meaning of life. He practiced Tai Chi for 35 years and received truths from the Upanishads Hindu mystical writing, Zen Buddhism and the poet Rumi. He practiced many Christian values most notably unconditional love and grace. Sailing was also a spiritual pursuit, where Indul found completeness and great peace on the water.

A funeral service will be held at 3 pm on Sunday, July 12th, 2020, at the W. L. Case & Company Funeral Home, 201 N. Miller Rd. Friends may visit with the family from 1 pm until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers the family asks donations to be made to The Latvian Club of Saginaw, or the Saginaw Bay Community Sailing School.

Mr. Piziks service can be viewed at here