Hertzl Benjamin Heiman

Hertzl Heiman, age 87 of Mountain Brook, Alabama passed away early Thursday morning at his home surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Virginia, of 60 years, daughters Marsha (Mark Ettin), Terri and Cindy and son David Heiman (Kathy Heiman); 10 grandchildren, Michael (Nicole), Alan, Lauren (Eric), Tara, Alexander, Marissa, Skyelar, Katie, Brandon, and Ryan; three great grandchildren, Kevin, Daphne, and Lilly; many loving nieces and nephews; Virginia’s siblings, and countless friends. Hertzl was a practicing optometrist until age 82 retiring and closing his office, the Contact Lens Clinic located in downtown Birmingham. He was a veteran serving in the 82nd Division of the Paratroopers at the end of World War II. He loved animals and was often called Dr. Doolittle. He enjoyed and fully experienced every form of transportation, including boats, planes, cars, motorcycles and horses. He had many hobbies and passions, especially loving gardening, boats, horses, and his time on Lake Logan Martin. He was loved for his generous nature, his humor, his kindness, his support and love of life. He regularly wrote simple notes and loving letters to family and friends. A day didn’t go by that he didn’t call someone close and say the most important and simple words of all, “I love you.” His family feels enormous gratitude that he was with us for 87 years and shared so much of himself. He will be missed. The funeral will be Friday at 11:30 at Temple Beth-El. The family wishes to thank the New Beacon Hospice, and their staff, Vicki Allums, Linda Blake and Terry White, along with Dr. Heiman’s loving caregivers, Betty Cohill, Cheryl Austin, and Margaret Watts.