Hugh R. Heishman

Hugh Rollins Heishman, 88, died March 1 at Westminster-Canterbury Richmond. He was predeceased by his his parents, Joseph and Helen Heishman, and by his beloved wife, Barbara Mead Heishman. He is survived by his children, Laurie Heishman Hedgepeth (Dennis) of Richmond and Scott Heishman of Knoxville, Tennessee; by his granddaughters Corrie Westling (Ben), Anne Hedgepeth, Amy Civetti (Mike), Catherine Thompson (Dave), and Haley Heishman; and by nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Linda Munday (Eddie), his extended family of nephews and cousins, and a wide circle of friends.

Hugh was born in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1933 and moved with his family to Annandale in 1942. He met Barbara Mead that year in the fourth grade at Fairfax Elementary School. He and Barbara made lifelong friends at Fairfax High School. They married in 1955, and were separated only by Barbara’s death in 2016.

Hugh’s long and distinguished career in the automotive industry began in his teenage years when he encouraged his father, Joe, to allow the sale of Crosley sports cars from the Clarendon Texaco station Joe operated. When Joe’s health declined, Hugh assumed responsibility for the business at age 22.The business prospered, and eventually grew to include Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi, and BMW franchises in Arlington. Hugh served in leadership roles with the Virginia Automobile Dealers Association and was twice elected chairman of the Porsche National Dealer Council.

Hugh’s interest in cars and his talent for building competitive race cars led him to many successes in SCCA, IMSA and TransAm racing. Porsches driven by Steven Pieper won many SCCA championships and his son Scott Heishman won many races in a BMW prepared by Hugh. He owned the first Camaro Z28 produced by Chevrolet and raced it in the TransAm circuit.

In 1966 he joined the board of directors of Burke and Herbert Bank and Trust, where he would serve for more than 50 years, including many years as vice chairman. He took enormous pride and pleasure in his association with that institution and the people he came to know there.

Hugh joined the Arlington Rotary Club as a young businessman and served as club president in 1974 and Virginia district governor in 1981. He achieved more than 50 years of perfect attendance. Barbara and Hugh were philanthropic supporters and volunteers at George Washington’s Mount Vernon.

His steadily progressing Alzheimer’s disease necessitated a move to Richmond in 2019, where he could be near his daughter and cared for at Westminster-Canterbury. He was fortunate to receive care there that was both expert and compassionate. His kindness, decency, courage and humor flourished until the end. He will be forever missed by those who knew him.

A graveside service led by Pastor Henry Brinton of Fairfax Presbyterian Church will be held on March 11 at 11 a.m. at National Memorial Park, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, Virginia. Following the graveside service a reception will be held at National Funeral Home,

Memorial gifts may be made to Westminster Canterbury Foundation's W·E·A·V·E Program to Support Employees, at 1600 Westbrook Avenue, Richmond, Virginia, 23227.