Music teacher killed by truck / bike crash

Olivia Herken:

On Thursday morning, Tom Heninger was on his way to do something he loved.

A lifelong musician and former music teacher at Watertown High School, Heninger, 71, was riding his bike the few blocks from his home Downtown to Monona Terrace to volunteer at the annual Wisconsin Music Educators Association conference, something he did every year.

While crossing John Nolen Drive against a red light, police said, Heninger collided with a truck and later died.

Friends and colleagues remembered Heninger as a loving music teacher and friend who could form deep connections with anyone, especially his students.

Originally from Lake Como, Heninger graduated from Lake Geneva High School and UW-Stevens Point. After college, he began working as a music teacher in the Watertown School District in 1974, where he stayed until his retirement in 2009.