Ricky Dean Heeter

Ric was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana to Merrill and Phyllis Heeter and attended Elmhurst High School. He came to Bloomington to go to college at Indiana University, focusing on jazz studies in the School of Music. While there, he learned how to tune a piano and began a lengthy career at IU as a piano technician. But Ric's passion was always playing the piano.

Ric was dedicated to his family. He was a wonderful caregiver to his daughter Megan, who has Down syndrome and always advocated for her. He had endless love for his daughter Amy and was so happy when she became a mother.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley and daughter Megan in Bloomington, Indiana, daughter Amy Stevens (Noah) and grandson, Walker Stevens in Denver, Colorado, Terry Heeter(Nancy) in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and Greg Heeter(Enola) in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Ric was in numerous bands throughout his life, starting in middle school. He played all genres of music, with jazz being his favorite. He also enjoyed playing solo dinner music at several restaurants and jamming with fellow musicians.

Another passion of Ric's was to immerse himself in nature. He enjoyed camping with family and friends, hiking, and kayaking. He looked forward every year to a backpacking trip with his brother. Running was also important to Ric during his earlier years, and he enjoyed the companionship of fellow runners.

Ric fought a hard battle with Lewy Body Dementia for the past eight years. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Lewy Body Association, 912 Killian Hill Road, S.W. Suite 105, Lilburn, Georgia 30047, US, or at https://lbda.org/donate

Please join us for a celebration of life on Saturday, June 27 at The Fields, 1333 South Fenbrook Lane Bloomington, IN 47401 from 3:00PM- 5:30PM.