David Richard Heiser, age 84, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2023. Dave is survived by his wife, Sue Heiser; children, Dave Heiser (Jillian), Jenny Phillips, (Harry), Jeff Heiser (Laurie), and Wendy Higley (Karl); grandchildren, Nate, Daniel and Nick Heiser, Steve and Brent Phillips, Greta and Sophie Heiser, and Charlotte Higley. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Adam and Hilda (nee Spaeth), brother, Don and a daughter, Ruth Ann. Dave graduated from Nordonia High School in 1956 and Kent State University in 1960 with a degree in education. Dave excelled at football, basketball and track at Nordonia. He held school records in the shot put, discus, and long jump. Dave is Nordonia’s second All-Ohio Track athlete in school history with a runner up finish in the shot put at the 1956 state competition. His long jump record remained for 50 years. Dave is a member of the Nordonia High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Dave taught for 7 years, mostly at Nordonia High School. He also owned and operated Dave Heiser Tree Service for over 45 years providing tree pruning and removal for the Nordonia Hills community. His love of sports and friendly competition lasted his entire life. He coached at Nordonia High School and managed and played in the Nordonia Men’s Recreational Basketball League well into his 40’s. Dave and his wife Sue loved attending any competition in which their children and grandchildren participated. He never passed up the opportunity to play any type of board game, card game, or contest of skill with his family. He influenced those he guided to play hard and fair until the contest was over, but win and lose with humble dignity while applying what was learned to strive for improvement during the next competition.
Dave had a lifelong love of the outdoors and nature that he shared with his family. Whether a creek or forest exploration at the family home or vacations to Canada, Florida, or his beautiful home state of Ohio, fishing or appreciation of wildlife was involved. Stray dogs and cats as well as any injured or abandoned wildlife found a permanent or temporary home with the Heiser’s. Dave loved a good joke or harmless prank – no matter if he delivered it or was the recipient. When he removed a tree, Dave repurposed every portion of it. He left wood chips or firewood for his customers, sold firewood and wood chips, or used firewood and wood chips to heat and landscape the family home. Premium logs were taken to the saw mill for lumber that he used to create custom trim and wall coverings in the family home, one of a kind furniture for family and friends, or lumber to be used by himself or others in the future.
Dave touched and influenced many throughout his life. His legacy and admirable qualities are evident in those with the good fortune to be amongst his family and friends.
Family will receive friends on Friday, August 11, 2023 from 11:00AM to 12:30PM at Johnson-Romito Funeral Home, 99 West Aurora Road (Rt. 82 1 mile west of Rt. 8), Northfield Center, OH. A memorial service will begin at 12:30PM. Interment to follow at Northfield-Macedonia Cemetery. www.johnsonromito.com
