Robert Lowell Heiny

Bob was born June 10, 1942 in Washington D.C. to William Lowell and Anna Mae (Smith) Heiny. Growing up in Grand Junction he developed a love of golf, basketball, and fried rolls from the Homestyle Bakery. He served as a paper boy for the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel for a record-setting 6 years. Tales of his exploits growing up in Grand Junction, usually recounted through laughter and tears with lifelong best friend Ken Blair, were legendary.

He graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1960. After high school he received an associate’s degree from Mesa College, and a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Colorado College. He played basketball and golf for CC, and once held future NBA star Paul Silas to under 35 rebounds in one game. He was a two-time conference champion in golf, and qualified twice for the NCAA golf tournament. He only played one of the two tournaments because the second conflicted with his wedding to Linnea Erikson.

Bob and Linnea were introduced in October of 1963 and were engaged five weeks later. They married June 26, 1964 in La Canãda, California. After their wedding, Linnea and Bob moved to Aggie Village in Fort Collins. He earned his Ph.D. from Colorado State University in 1968, after which the family moved to Greeley so that Bob could begin teaching at the University of Northern Colorado.

During his 48 years as a professor and administrator at UNC, Bob won several teaching awards. He was President of the North Central Athletic Conference, a member of the NCAA Financial Aid and Amateurism Committee, chair of the Board of Athletic Control, and interim Athletic Director. He served as the NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative for 28 years. He was also the Executive Assistant to President Bob Dickeson. In 2009 Bob was inducted into the UNC Athletic Hall of Fame, and was awarded a lifetime ticket to Bears’ games. He had no plans to retire from UNC, saying that in 48 years he never felt like he was going to work.

Bob was a staple on the Colorado golf circuit, winning several invitationals in both the championship and senior divisions. He won more than 10 club championships at Highland Hills, made the Colorado Cup team in 15 out of 16 years after turning 50, and shot his age – 69 – in the 2011 Highland Hills Invitational. He could usually be found in the afternoon at Highland Hills or Boomerang, playing with his longtime “Pardsee” Bill Boyd, Marc Meilahn, and other longtime friends. He also played widely in Colorado, Utah, Ireland, and Scotland. His voicemail said “I will return your call as I make the turn on the golf course.”

Bob’s golf partners remember “the Heiny par” – an uncanny ability to save par from an errant drive in the trees. His students remember his extraordinary patience and no-nonsense style. His children and grandchildren remember Pepsi and Cheez-Its in the afternoon, golf in the evening, clandestine trips for ice cream, and semi-annual trips to the beach.

He is survived by his siblings and their spouses: Linda Anne and Bill Fuesz, Kathy and Jim Hogge, and Bill and Dana Heiny; his children and their spouses: Tanya and David Hummels of West Lafayette, Indiana, Erik and Louisa Heiny of Provo, Utah, and Greg and Michelle Heiny of Greeley; grandchildren Emily, Alex, and Abby Hummels, Robert, Lauryn, and Sarah Heiny, Sabrina and Linnea Heiny; brother- and sister-in-law Lance and Suzie Erikson of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; twelve nieces and nephews; and his favorite nephew, John Erikson of Redondo Beach, CA.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents: Lowell and Anna Mae Heiny; a nephew and niece: Steven Fuesz and Lisa Fuesz; and his wife Linnea, whom he was very much looking forward to seeing again.

A memorial service and reception will take place at 11:00 a.m. on August 6, 2016 at First Congregational Church in Greeley, Colorado. A private inurnment will take place at Linn Grove Cemetery in Greeley.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UNC Foundation Bob Heiny Memorial, or to TRU Hospice of Northern Colorado in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80631. Friends may view the online obituary and send condolences at www.allnutt.com.