Robert W. (“Bob”) Heimerl

MADISON-Robert W. (“Bob”) Heimerl, 86, of Madison, died on Thursday, March 15, 2012, at Agrace HospiceCare in Fitchburg, after a fierce battle with multiple myeloma. Bob was born on July 27, 1925, in Milwaukee, the only child of Aaron and Ann Marie (Nyland) Heimerl. He grew up in Madison, attending Madison Central High School. For any of the Central High alumni who may still be around; Bob was the one who set off the firecracker in the heating vent, a bit of information he shared with none of his schoolmates at the time. He delighted in playing practical jokes as a youngster (and as an adult) and enjoyed regaling his family with stories of his former hijinks. As a young man, Bob served in the Navy for two years and then as an officer with the Madison police department for a short time before becoming an electrician/troubleshooter at Oscar Mayer Co. He worked at “Oscar’s” for many years, maintaining, designing and building electrical systems and controls for the plant. Around 1970 or so, Bob was invited to teach a class at Madison Area Technical College. That first class was the beginning of his “second life” as an educator. For a time he worked full time at Oscar’s while also attending classes himself at MATC. After earning an associate degree, he left Oscar Mayer and began teaching full time in the electronics program at MATC. Bob found immense joy in teaching and felt profoundly grateful to have found his way to this profession. He served as president of the MATC teacher’s union for a number of years as well and was a fierce advocate for teachers’ interests. Bob was a man of passion, varied interests, and many talents. Classical music was his lifeblood and he was an accomplished pianist. Of his two Mason & Hamlin baby grand pianos he said, “When you find a good piano, you hang on to it.” Some people might have stopped at just one, but not Bob. He was a life-long, self taught sportsman, enjoyed hunting & fishing, and appreciated and collected fine guns and bows. He gardened enthusiastically, and was hoping to be out there planting seeds and setting out plants this May. He was an avid runner over the course of his lifetime, only stopping when advanced illness made him unstable on his feet. From then on he used his exercise bike indoors and his three-wheeled bike outdoors to feed his exercise habit. A day spent outside, whether working in the garden, canoeing on the lake, or picking wild grapes, was an excellent day. Another passion was winemaking; Bob perfected his skills over many decades and delighted in giving bottles of his homemade wine to special friends and family. Bob was a thoughtful writer and a poet, examining past or current experiences with feeling and depth. He was concerned with both the personal and the public experience and was a frequent contributor to “Letters to the Editor.” He was given to ranting about politics and education and would talk your ear numb, whether you agreed with him or not. He loved his Brittany Spaniel, Allie, who came to him later in life. He regretted not being able to hunt with her himself but provided that experience for her through his good friend, Howard Cole. Bob converted to Catholicism when he remarried, but he also felt a strong affinity for Native American spirituality, which he explored through the teachings of another special friend, Gary Engen. With his marriage to Diana came new things to learn; Bob embraced her native Philippine culture and cooking, and spent many weeks exploring her country and visiting her family in the Philippines each summer, along with his daughter Shana. To Bob, in every way, life was something to be explored, known and enjoyed. Bob is survived by his second wife, Diana G. (Gaitan) Heimerl of Madison; his four children, Phillip W. (Georgina) Heimerl of Verona, Elizabeth A. (James Lubbe) Heimerl of Platteville, Jason E. Heimerl of Madison, and Shana J. Heimerl of Madison; four grandchildren, Lisa (Shawn Schwoegler) Heimerl-Schwoegler of Madison, Leah Heimerl of Madison, and Samuel E. Lubbe and Mae I. Lubbe of Platteville; and four great-grandchildren, Chase, Jayden, Trevor and Jazzlyn, as well as extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Jerome Steen; his first wife, Betty S. Heimerl; and his son, Gary W. Heimerl. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 23, 2012, with Monsignor Michael Hippee officiating, with a luncheon to follow. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday. Bob’s family thanks the caring and dedicated staff at Meriter Hospital and Agrace Hospice, including Jennifer in social work on floor 8 at Meriter, and extends special appreciation to Dr. Robert Hegeman and his nurses Karen & Donna, Dr. James Giesen and staff, Dr. Jason Yelk, and Dr. Yingchun Chi, for all of their excellent care over these last years. Visitation will be at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Ave., Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 23, 2012, with Monsignor Michael Hippee officiating, with a luncheon to follow.