Heather Renee Rathnau

She is survived by her husband Ron of 43 years, daughters Alison (Eric) Knauer and Mallory (James) Njuguna, seven grandchildren, siblings Scott (Kim) Hearn and Marla (Vince) Tews and 11 nieces & nephews. She was predeceased by her parents Claude & Mildred Hearn and her brother Brian Hearn.

After years of pre-college music training, participation in high school band and Texas All State Choir, Heather received numerous scholarships for piano, vocal performance and academics and entered Baylor University in 1976. Heather excelled at Baylor and was selected for the national music honor society, Pi Kappa Lambda, which recognizes the highest levels of musical achievement and academic scholarship in colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning. Furthermore, the international professional music fraternity Mu Phi Epsilon presented Heather its “Sterling Achievement Award” as the outstanding senior Mu Phi student in the nation. She subsequently graduated Magna Cum Laude from Baylor University in 1980 with her Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Pedagogy and completed the Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance and Literature in 1982.

Heather was driven by a sincere desire to help others and pursued a lifelong career as a music educator, speaker, author and adjudicator. She taught private piano and voice for 39 years as a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) and was recognized for her exceptional talent as a coloratura high-soprano vocalist in church choirs and other venues. Heather also created, authored and published the popular Theory Time workbook series and product line marketed to music distributors and educational institutions nationwide. The Theory Time moniker “Excellence in Music Theory Education” exemplified Heather’s highest standards for motivating students to learn and always do their best not only in music education, but in every life endeavor.

Heather exhibited great humility throughout her life and always credited her God-given musical gifts as a vocalist and educator to her Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. She truly “walked the walk” as a child of God and shared her Christian faith through example and encouragement to those in need. She counseled and ministered to many people on a multitude of personal issues outside of her music profession.

Heather will be deeply missed and fondly remembered for loving and helping people in so many ways. Heather’s life was, without question, a God-honoring “life well-lived”.

The family wishes to sincerely thank Dr. David Ramirez and the dedicated staff at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston for all their efforts in treating Heather. We also thank the many friends, colleagues and neighbors for their outpouring of support, meals and prayers during Heather’s illness.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Thursday, the 5th of September, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

The memorial service is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Friday, the 6th of September, in the Worship Center of Tallowood Baptist Church, 555 Tallowood Road in Houston, where Duane Brooks, Senior Pastor, is to officiate.

Immediately following the service, all are invited to join the family for a reception in the Fellowship Hall East.

Interment will follow the reception, via escorted cortege, at Houston National Cemetery in Houston.

In Lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in Heather’s honor may be directed to the Texas Music Teachers Educational Foundation (TMTEF). Information on this charity is available at www.tmta.org.

Please visit Heather’s online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where fond memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with her family. You may also click the “receive updates” icon to be notified of additional details as they are made available.