In Remembrance: Karl J. Heilman Jr. ’52 Died on February 2 2013

Karl. J. Heilman, Jr., 82, formerly of St. Louis, Missouri, died unexpectedly at his home in Jensen Beach, Florida, on February 2, 2013. Mr. Heilman was born in Tiffin, Ohio, on April 30, 1930, to Karl John and Velma (Fulcomer) Heilman. He attended college at Yale University and graduated with honors with a BS in industrial engineering in 1952. He rowed on the Yale crew all four years. Karl married Mary Elizabeth Bliss in 1952. They had three children: K. John Heilman III, Ann Elizabeth Heilman, and Susan Bliss Heilman. Upon graduation, Karl joined Thompson Products in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1956, he received an MS degree in engineering administration from Case Western Reserve. His proudest professional achievement was starting a new manufacturing operation for Thompson Ramo Wooldridge Co. in Cordoba, Argentina, where he and his family lived from 1962 through 1965. Upon return to the US, he was appointed VP of operations for a TRW subsidiary in St. Louis and worked for the company until 1972.

In 1972, Karl married Jill Rarick. An entrepreneur at heart, he started his own sporting goods business in 1972. After eight years in business, early retirement allowed him to enjoy his family and many hobbies including rowing, fishing, hunting, golf, travel, and genealogy. He located his Heilman relatives in Germany in the early 1990s and organized a family reunion and published a book on his family history in collaboration with his cousin, Jim. He kept in touch with his family in Germany over the years.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Jill Purdy Heilman; his son Dr. K. John (Julie) Heilman III, daughters Ann Elizabeth Heilman and Susan (Stan) Boyle; grandchildren Michael Boyle, Sarah Boyle, and Karl Heilman IV; stepdaughters Lynn Joliet and Christine Kaufmann; and several step-grandchildren.

Karl will be remembered for his zest for life and his keen intellect. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Cremation has taken place and entombment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens in St. Louis later this spring in a private family ceremony. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the St. Louis Rowing Club, Box 411094, St. Louis, MO 63141. 

(Submitted by the family.)