Heller services

Mr. Heller died Saturday, July 3, 2004, at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

He was born Dec. 19, 1941, in Ypsilanti, Mich., the son of Julius and Norma Smith Heller.

He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1963 and served in the Army Bands at Fort Sheridan, Ill., from 1966 to 1967, and in Heidelberg, Germany, from 1967 to 1969. He was a tuba soloist, assistant conductor and staff arranger. He returned to Michigan to teach instrumental and general music and in 1973 earned a doctorate in music education with minors in music history and music theory.

Mr. Heller joined the Kansas University faculty in 1973 as assistant professor in music education.

He became a full professor in 1985, and retired from KU in May 2002.

Mr. Heller had been a visiting professor at University of North Carolina in Greensboro, University of Washington and University of Miami, as well as a guest lecturer in music at University of Illinois, Ithaca College, University of Cincinnati, University of Maryland, Towson State University, University of Rhode Island and Crane School of Music at State University of New York College at Potsdam.

Mr. Heller published more than 100 articles, book chapters and books during his career.

In 1994 the History Special Research Interest Group of Music Educators National Conference awarded Mr. Heller its first Distinguished Service and Scholarship Award. He was also an honorary member of International Biographical Centre Biography Council, Cambridge, England. In February, 2003, the Kansas Music Educators Assn. inducted Mr. Heller into its Hall of Fame.

Mr. Heller performed as a pianist, vocalist and tuba player in schools and churches, as well as in the military. In the spring of 2002 he sang with the Trinity Episcopal Church Choir of Lawrence.

Survivors include his wife, Judy Heller, of the home; two sons, David Heller, Kansas City, and Scott Thompson, Lawrence; a daughter, Jennifer Heller, Kansas City; two sisters, Carol Fauser, Dexter, Mich. and Martha Hopper, Aptos, Calif.; his father, Apton; and one grandchild.

The family suggests memorials to the Heller Scholarship for Music Education at the KU Endowment Association, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, 66044-0928, or in care of Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be sent at www.rumsey-yost.com.