Frank Albert Heise

Frank Heise, 80, passed away peacefully in his home on June 13, 2022. He was a native of Norfolk, Virginia being born at Portsmouth Naval Hospital on June 3, 1942 to Edward Christian and Ethel Louise Heise. Frank married his first wife, Donna Grey, bringing forth two children, Edward and Dawn. He later went on to marry the love of his life, Pamela Bowser, on December 31, 1974 in Richmond, Indiana and acquire two bonus children, Bonnie and Stephen. Shortly thereafter, Pamela became pregnant with a little girl they named Heather. He served the local community well as a Boy Scout Den Leader, volunteer police officer, and United States Mail man. He attended Indiana Institute of Technology earning two associates degrees and additional certifications in advanced automotive repairs, as well as the title of an ASE Certified Mechanic. He also enjoyed golfing, bowling, and fishing anytime he wasn’t riding his Harley.

Frank continued to live in Indiana for about ten more years before moving to the Hampton Roads area to be closer to his mother. During this time, he worked at several automobile dealer service centers such as Casey Chevrolet, First Team Hyundai, and the Suttle Motor Corporation. He also left Virginia for three years to teach at the GM Training Center in Charleston, West Virginia, then came back to continue teaching auto mechanics at Tidewater Technical Institute in Norfolk. After retiring from working in the automobile industry, he took a position in the garden department at a Newport News Walmart, which he very much enjoyed. He successfully fought Nasopharyngeal Cancer in 2016 and moved on to fulfill his retirement living after receiving full disability from the Veteran’s Administration later that year.

Frank served in the United States Army from June 25, 1959, as a Transportation Driver, and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant on December 4, 1971 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. During his time in the Army, he completed training at the 7th NCO Academy and bravely fought in combat in Vietnam. He earned the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Driver Badge with Driver Bar, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, the Army Commendation medal, and a Purple Heart.

Frank was a long-time member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 607 and a lifetime Member of the Disabled Americans Veterans. He was also a lifetime Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 3160 in Norfolk, Virginia, but he spent many years making friends, participating in events, and making memories at VFW Post 3219 in Phoebus. He cherished his memberships in the VFW Riders of Virginia and the Hampton Roads Harley Owners Group, Chapter #5300, the most.

Frank leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Pamela Heise; three daughters, Bonnie Hall (Mike), Dawn Winters, and Heather Heise-Reeves (Jason); as well as two sons, Edward Heise (Leisa) and Stephen Heise (Paula). Nine grandchildren; Mathew, Kristian, Beth, Megan, Christopher, Merrion, Will, Zara Beth, and Eva Celeste. Seven great-grandchildren; Xander, October, Alex, Alayna, Ahnalyse, Logan, and Reagan. He also leaves behind many loved cousins and friends.

A special thanks to Nolle and Carol Lumanog, Irma Medina, and all the VFW Riders who participated in this service to honor Frank.

In lieu of flowers, please make a tribute donation to the Parkinson Foundation at www.parkinsons.org