Kirchenheiter was born in
Hackensack, New Jersey, to Emil James Kirchenheiter (1903–1991) and Ruth Irma Blake (1905–1978) and was from
German descent. He had at least two brothers. He grew up in
Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey and attended
The Lincoln School. As a child, he was regularly involved in the school's plays and he served on the school's safety patrol as the lieutenant. In 1952, Kirchenheiter was hospitalized at
Hackensack University Medical Center to receive an
appendectomy. He graduated from The Lincoln School in 1953. In 1953, he was enrolled at
Hasbrouck Heights High School. He was one of 37 freshmen to receive honor roll honors in 1954. He was a member of the third-ever football team for Wallington under head coach Bill Tryanowski as a
guard. During his senior year, Kirchenheiter became a three-sport athlete, participating in football,
baseball, and
basketball. As a member of the football team, he was voted as the team's co-captain. At the fourth annual Wallington Hall School dinner sponsored by the Hillside Club boosters, Kirchenheiter and three other seniors were honored as recipients of the John Lulay Memorial Trophy. Kirchenheiter was specifically selected due to his success in baseball and football. Kirchenheiter briefly attended
West Virginia University in pursuit of becoming an
engineer before transferring to
Wofford College. He was a guard and
linebacker on the
Terriers football team. He served as a reserve at only 195 pounds, lining up mostly with the second team line. While attending Wofford, Kirchenheiter played baseball as a
first baseman with the Wallington Hillsides, a semi-professional independent team. Kirchenheiter was a member of
Sigma Phi Epsilon. In 1960, Kirchenheiter enrolled into a
Reserve Officers' Training Corps training camp at
Fort Benning in
Columbus, Georgia, as a
cadet. During the training, he received specialized training on becoming a
second lieutenant. The training was in preparation in becoming a
Transportation Corps officer. In 1963, he was promoted
first lieutenant at a ceremony held at the
Oakland Army Base. Alongside his promotion, he was in the plans branch of the Cargo Operations Division. ==Coaching and administration career==