Dr Herman A Heise

Dr. Herman A. Heise

On April 10, 2014, Dr. Herman A. Heise, former president of Indian River Community College (IRSC), passed away peacefully surrounded with his family by his side. He was born on September 18, 1924 in
Erie, Pennsylvania and moved to Fort Pierce in 1968.

After graduating from high school in 1942, he served in the Infantry in Europe during World War II. He then received his B.A. from Thiel College, Greenville, PA, M.A. in History from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C, PhD in History from Georgetown University, Postgraduate Studies in European History from Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt, West Germany, and L.H.D. from Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL.

Dr. Heise was a Central Intelligence Agency Case Officer in Europe, Dean of Faculty at Monticello College, Monticello, IL, Vice President of Instruction at Pensacola Junior College, Pensacola, FL, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL, President of Indian River Community College (IRSC), Ft. Pierce, FL.

He's listed in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Education, and Who's Who among American College Presidents and Deans, and Governor's Council on Physical Fitness Sports Leadership Award.

Dr. Heise was instrumental in developing so many of the successful programs at Indian River Community College that they are too many to mention, but the one he was most proud of was the securing of the funds for the Olympic size pool, which began the unstoppable "River" of winning the next 40 years of National Swim Championships. His competitiveness played a big part in this success. He was always very proud of his "River" Champions.

After retiring from being a College President, he became a full-time Citrus Farmer and traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. He enjoyed camping, carpentry, stamp collecting, jigsaw puzzles, reading and continued rollerblading until he was 80 years old.

He is survived by his wife, Theresa, of thirty-three beautiful years, son, H. Michael Heise of Dallas, TX; daughters, Debra Heise of Sandpoint, ID, Madelynn Heise and husband Brian Schroeder of Colleyville, TX, Caroline Heise and husband David Boland of Doylestown, PA; step-son, Richard F. Haisley II and fiancé Priscilla Branco of Miami, FL; and step-daughter, Lee Anne Verdegem and husband Luke of Ft. Pierce, FL; sister, Marguerite Werner of Greenville, PA; and 15 grandchildren.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Treasure Coast Hospice, 5000 Dunn Road, Ft. Pierce, FL 34982 or to the Herman Heise Scholarship at Indian River State College, 3209 Virginia Avenue, Ft. Pierce, FL 34981.