Ross Keith Heitzmann

Heitzmann, Ross K. On Saturday August 13th, 2022, Ross, loving husband, brother, father of two children, six grandchildren, and four great grandchil dren passed away at the age of 86. Ross was born August 6th, 1936, to Walter and Marian Heitzmann in Sheboygan, WI. At the age of 15, Ross joined the Civil Air Patrol and two years later he joined Army National Guard Company. After graduating from Sheboygan Central High School class of 1954, Ross joined the US Air Force. In the Air Force, Ross was a radar maintenance technician deployed to Europe in 1955 through 1957, moving from base to base supporting mostly F86D fighter intercept radar systems. After leaving the Air Force he moved to Kansas City, MO, working for Bendix as a technician and enrolled at Kansas City Junior College in pre-engineering courses. While there he met the love of his life, Betty Beal. They were married October 10, 1959, and were happily married 61 years, until Betty's death December 2020. After their time in Kansas City, Ross enrolled at Kansas State University where he received an Electrical Engineering Degree. He later obtained a Master's Degree in EE from the University of Missouri Rolla in May 1967. Ross then went to work for Honeywell in Minneapolis, MN, working in research and development for defense and later residential products. In the late '80s, through Honeywell, he began consulting for the National Association of Home Builders home automation company, Smart House, in Upper Marlboro, MD, as the point man to develop turnkey products, proprietary technologies and industry standards making home automation available to homeowners. In 1989 he was named president of Smart House and left Honeywell, retiring in 1996. He and Betty enjoyed their time in Maryland greatly, living in Annapolis and taking advantage of the many sights and activities in the area. During this time they also enjoyed travelling, taking trips to Europe and Asia. Never one to sit still, Ross would take hiatuses from his professional career to teach as an instructor at Springfield Community College, Springfield, IL, Anoka Technical Collage, Anoka, MN and as a Professor at Purdue University. In his free time, he enjoyed reading about airplane and automobile technical developments, factual historical events of wars and world events. He enjoyed camping, canoeing, swimming, water skiing, travelling and the great outdoors. In 1970 he joined the Big Brothers of America Program where he was introduced to Steve Drake of East St. Paul, beginning a lifelong friendship between the two and their families. Ross will be greatly missed by his sister Sheila Nelson; children Amy Ross(Andy) and Max(Annie); grandchildren Katharine Flom, Kelly Pinault(Matt), Alex Ross(Ashley), Libby, Max and Trudie Heitzmann; great grandchildren Drew Ross, Myles Pinault, Lily, and Peter Ross; family and friends. Donations may be made in his honor / memoriam to the Parkinson's Foundation. Memorial gathering will be held Saturday, August 27, 11AM. Interment to follow at 12 PM at: Washburn-McReavy.com Hillside Chapel 612-781-1999 2610 19th Ave. N.E., Mpls

Tributes

Ross Keith Heitzmann

August 3, 1936 - August 13, 2022

Tributes

Ross Keith Heitzmann

August 3, 1936 - August 13, 2022

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