Heino A Luts

Luts, Dr. Heino A. of New Port Richey, FL passed away on October 27, 2013 at the age of 93. He was preceded in death two years prior by his loving wife, Marie. Dr. Luts is survived by his four children, Heino, Jr (Hattiesburg, MS), Mary Ellen Joynson (Spotsylvania, VA), Lisa Myers (New Port Richey, FL), Kai Owens (Bonifay, FL); six grandchildren, Andrew, Mary Beth, and Kai Myers, Charles, Jack and Nick Joynson. Dr Luts fled his native Estonia during WWII and made his way from Finland to Sweden where he studied at Uppsala College. Facing possible re-patriotism in 1946, he and ten of his countrymen and four children sailed a small sailboat named “Erma” from Stockholm to Norfolk, VA and freedom. He graduated from Uppsala College in NJ and became a talented research chemist. In the late 1950’s, he was the first chemist to create a successful tranquilizer in the laboratory called “Milltown”. He later earned his Masters Degree and PHD in medicinal chemistry from the University of Miss. Dr. Luts had his own research lab “Structure Activity Research” in College Hill. He published extensively and was in Who’s Who in Chemistry. After a heart attack at age 46, he taught for 24 years at Eastern KY University where he was the schools second Fulbright Scholar. He was a member of the Lions Club and an avid fisherman who credited his longevity to fish soup. He once said “The most important thing an individual can do is be of service to his community”. May he rest in peace.