Eugene Irving Heller

Gene was a husband, father, grandfather, businessman, WWII veteran, painter, pilot, philanthropist and a pitch-perfect singer who, with very little prompting, enjoyed belting out Broadway show tunes for friends, family, and strangers alike.

A fountain of wisdom and mischievous good fun, Gene was renowned for his creativity, intelligence, generosity, perseverance, sunny optimism and irrepressible sense of humor. His puns were legendary. While riding horses with family in the Arizona desert Gene remarked, “Plateaus are the highest form of flattery.” When his loving wife Reva made egg and spinach pie for breakfast, he puckered his lips and said, “Quiche me, sweetheart.”

In 1947, Gene and a childhood friend partnered in founding “Weather Tamer,” a manufacturer of children’s outerwear which served The Walt Disney Company, the US Armed Forces outposts, and thousands of specialty shops and department stores nationwide. Always looking for ways to speed things up, Gene often roller-skated through factories, bobbing and weaving, covering large distances quickly, and greatly amusing onlookers.

A pioneer of progressive labor practices in the garment industry, Gene offered interest-free loans, on-site child care, and paid college tuition for all employees. In 1958 in Columbia, Tennessee, he opened one of the first racially integrated sewing factories in the South; U.S. Senator Al Gore Sr. and Governor Frank Clement spoke at the ribbon-cutting. Never idle and always seeking new challenges, he started a home-building and land development company which he actively managed until the age of 94.

Gene embodied the Jewish philosophy of “Tikkun Olam” -- repairing the world -- in ways large and small. He picked up trash, trimmed overgrown bushes and planted daffodils along public streets. For decades, he donated to dozens of community organizations including The Boys and Girls Club, The YMCA, The Rotary Club, the Jewish National Fund, Akiva School and Congregation Sherith Israel, a synagogue where he once served as president.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents Abraham and Olga (Rozenshweig) Heller and his older brother, Dr. David Harold Heller (Devorah Heller). He is survived by his wife, Reva (Gordon) Heller and children Anne, David (Betsy Eckstein) Lillian (Edward Azar-Deceased), Robert and Daniel, as well as grandchildren Jamie Azar (Olivier DeWost) Avra Heller, Dalya Heller and Michael Azar.

The Hellers thank all caregivers and staff for their boundless dedication and expertise which gave Gene and his family great comfort and peace of mind. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Abe’s Garden Alzheimer’s & Memory Care Center, or Akiva School, both in Nashville.

In the spirit of community and public safety, a memorial service with close family members will be held at KKAI Cemetery, 2113 15th Ave North in Nashville, Friday, December 18th, at 11:00 AM. Visitors can join online and send messages via