Biography Tom Hincz
Membership Number: 6338Biography
Tom was a NCRS Region V Regional Director. He was the Founding Father of the current Wisconsin Chapter of NCRS, the first President and the first Judging Chairman. Tom took a '54 and a '63 thru to Duntov and restored fire trucks, Amphicars, GTO's and had several prototype Hupmobiles in his collection.
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.
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.
Join Year: 1983
Deceased Date: 07-15-2023
Previous Chapter Affiliations:
Illinois Chapter
Achieved Flight Judging Car Award(s):
1954 Corvette: Flight Judging Award (Top Flight) at GALENA IL (Chapter) in 1991
1963 Corvette: Flight Judging Award (Top Flight) at GALENA IL (Chapter) in 1992
1954 Corvette: Performance Verification Award at MINNEAPOLIS MN in 1992
1963 Corvette: Performance Verification Award at MINNEAPOLIS MN in 1992
1963 Corvette: Duntov Award at SHANGRI-LA OK in 1993
1954 Corvette: Duntov Award at SHANGRI-LA OK in 1993
1954 Corvette: Flight Judging Award (Top Flight) at SHANGRI-LA OK (National) in 1993
1963 Corvette: Flight Judging Award (Top Flight) at CALLAWAY GARDENS GA (Regional) in 1993
1954 Corvette: Flight Judging Award (Top Flight) at CALLAWAY GARDENS GA (Regional) in 1993
1963 Corvette: Flight Judging Award (Top Flight) at SHANGRI-LA OK (National) in 1993
Achieved Judging Award(s):
Level 400 Master Judge, Red Hat
Flight Judging Points: 400
Flight Tabulation Points: 5