Ralph "Fred" Heim

Ralph “Fred” Heim, 66, passed away July 29,2019 while being attending to by the loving people of Kokomo Place. These caring people had become his friends during his two year stay. Fred had the early onsets of Alzheimer's that eventually took this life after a five-year battle. He is now resting with his mother and father, Jessie Leona Grave Heim and Ralph Brewer Heim, who raised Fred and his sister Phyllis in Indianapolis and Mooresville. He graduated from Decatur Central High school in 1971, where he played high school tennis and played the drums in the band. Fred went on to get his Bachelors of Science degree from Purdue University, yet he loved his IU basketball. Fred worked in IT most of his life. He started his career in Houston, Texas and came back to Indiana with EDS where he spent 20 years with them. After his IT career, Fred substitute taught for Kokomo School with kindergarteners and 1st graders. These little ones loved the ‘giant sub’ (Fred was 6’5”). Fred also loved playing Santa for the little ones. He had a very big heart. He had a brief career with Chrysler, where his Alzheimer’s was first noticed.

Fred loved wood working, playing golf on the company leagues and golf trips with his friends to Tennessee and Kentucky. His love of softball kept him busy for years, both playing and coaching. He was known for his vegetable gardens; his love of gardening came from his father (Ralph). Ralph was also known for his vegetable gardens. Fred was also a gifted chess player. The love of puzzles meant there was always a puzzle in process. His most challenging puzzle was a needle in a hay stack.

Fred loved being a dad to Evan Ray Heim. Fred was overly protective of Evan when he was young. Evan drove him crazy when he ventured out to go four wheeling, wrestling and playing football. Fred would have kept Evan in bubble to protect him. Fred enjoyed following Evan in all his high school sports and was proud to be an ‘Army Dad’.

Fred is survived by his son, Evan Heim of Kokomo and Evan’s mom, Gina Heim, who was Fred’s caregiver and longtime friend. Also surviving are his sister Phyllis Tyner and her husband Greg Tyner from Indianapolis.

There will be a public visitation for Fred held at Sunset Memory Garden Funeral Home on Friday, August 2nd from 3-6 pm, immediately followed by a funeral service.

Fred’s family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Fred’s name be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.