Barbara Margaret Heisler

Barbara Heisler of Highland, CA was born July 10, 1035 in Walla Walla, WA to Paul and Margaret Alderson. Her early years were lived in Oregon state where her father was a pastor for various Seventh-day Adventist Churches, most notably in Klamath Falls.

She attended Columbia Adventist Academy in Battle Ground, WA from 1949-52. She graduated from Takoma Park Adventist Academy in Takoma Park, MD. She graduated from Walla Walla University, College Place WA, with a degree in Elementary Education on August 18, 1956.

On August 19, 1956 Barbara was married to William (Bill) Heisler, in Portland, OR. Barbara and Bill had been friends since their first date on Valentine’s Day 1950.

After a short honeymoon to Victoria, BC the couple moved to Loma Linda, CA where Bill continued his dental education at the College of Medical Evangelist (CME), now Loma Linda University (LLU), graduating in 1959 with a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. Barbara taught in the San Bernardino School system from Aug 1956-Dec. 1958 beginning at California Elementary School in San Bernardino and later at Grand Terrace Elementary School.

Following Bill’s graduation from CME, they established a dental practice in Springfield, OR. In 1962 Bill was drafted into the US Army and they lived in Mainz, Germany from 1962-66 where Bill served as a Captain in the US Army Dental Corp.

After Barbara’s husband was discharged they established a dental practice in Novato, CA.

Barbara taught kindergarten for a total of 30 years, first in Petaluma, CA for 11 years and later in Redlands, CA where she initiated a Kindergarten program at Redlands Adventist Academy in 1981 and taught in that program until her retirement in June 2000.

In 1980, they returned to Loma Linda, CA where Bill joined the faculty in the LLU School of Dentistry, retiring as Emeritus Professor of Restorative Dentistry in 2014.

. In 1990 she earned her Master’s Degree from La Sierra University.

Barbara’s first love, besides her husband, was her children and grandchildren. When not with them she enjoyed gardening, spending hours grooming her yard, and making potpourri from dried, perfumed rose petals to give as gifts and party favors to friends. She was a collector of teapots and an avid fan of Beatrix Potter, with a room in their home dedicated to Peter Rabbit and his friends.

Besides her husband, Bill, Barbara is survived by her three sons, William Scott of Gold River, CA, Barry Martin of Roseville, CA, and Bradley Paul of Newcastle, CA, her daughter Susan Heisler Lewis of Reno, NV, seven grandchildren, and sisters Betty Lou Woodland of Portland, OR and Beryl Pauline Johnson of Niles, MI., two nieces and three nephews. She is lovingly remembered locally by a host of former students and friends.

A memorial service is planned at the Redlands Seventh-day Adventist Church, 520 Brookside Ave. in Redlands on January 28, 2017 at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to Redlands Adventist Academy, 130 Tennessee Ave, Redlands, CA 92373.