Richard (Dick) Heller died peacefully Jan. 5, 2011, at Hospice of the Golden Isles. He was born in 1928 in Appleton, Wis., to Harold and Camilla Heller. He married Joan Furstenberg, also of Appleton, in 1951. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin with a B.S. degree in chemical engineering, he and Joan moved to St. Simons Island, where he joined Hercules Inc. in 1952. He held management positions at various corporate locations until his retirement in 1991. His employment with Hercules took him to Wilbraham, Mass, Savannah, Hattiesburg, Miss., Louisiana, Mo., Wilmington, Del., and Lawrence, Kansas, before he and Joan retired to Sea Palms on St. Simons Island. Dick was active in the Jaycees, a founding member of the Island Players and served on many boards during his employment and in retirement. He was a member of St. Simons Presbyterian Church, where he had served as deacon and elder and sang in the choir. He enjoyed fishing, sailing, woodworking and golf. Dick especially loved music and was a talented amateur musician. He played the bass in the University of Wisconsin orchestra and toured the state with dance bands. After moving to St. Simons Island, he performed with local bands and combos. He also sang in various vocal ensembles, including barbershop quartets, the Madrigal Singers of Savannah, and the New Renaissance Singers (formerly the Island Baroque Ensemble). Throughout his life, he was an enthusiastic church choir member.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joan Furstenberg Heller; daughters, Deborah Robinson (Ron) of Macclenny, Fla., and Holly Mruz (Ed) of Jacksonville, Fla.; son, R. Scott Heller (Celeste) of Jacksonville, Fla.; grandchildren, Kate Heller and Hayden Heller of Jacksonville; sisters, Joan Fliegel of Madison, Wis., and Camilla Heller of Minneapolis, Minn; several cousins; 11 nieces; and five nephews.
He was predeceased by one sister, Carla May Glattly of Minneaoplis.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011, at St. Simons Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Bob Brearley officiating.
The remains will be inurned at Christ Church Episcopal on St. Simons Island.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Parkway, Brunswick, GA 31525, or the Coastal Symphony of Georgia, P.O. Box 21733, St. Simons Island, GA 31522.
Arrangements are entrusted to Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home.
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