There had been 13 attempts in 1969 to close what is now Chicago’s Harold Washington College because of racial tensions.
David H. Heller, the first president of what in 1970 was called Chicago’s Loop College, appealed to reason to keep the institution moving forward.
“Whatever will be the future of blacks in this country, it’s going to involve knowing the skills of modern society,” he told the Tribune in October 1970. “Whether black capitalism or separatism turns out to be the answer, there will be a need for people who know double entry bookkeeping. And it’s the job of this college to give people skills.”
Mr. Heller, 85, died of complications from prostate cancer on Monday, Dec. 19, in the Whitehall of Deerfield Healthcare Center.
Mr. Heller was a biology teacher and garden show judge, decorated veteran and scholar of Jewish history. His turn in the public eye was defined by the turbulent period after 1965, when he started as dean of Loop College and then was named its first president in 1970.
He was a calm man given to bursts of intense activity, a stickler for details who moved between subject areas with an exhaustive intellect and then moved on, said his wife, Dvora.
His lifelong focus was zoology, but his interests also included study of the Jewish religion (a youthful rebellion–his father was an atheist) and helping others learn to teach it. Central to all of what he did was the conviction that anyone should have the chance to learn. He taught in public schools and community colleges all his life.
“It was a mission for him. He’d come from a relatively modest background and wanted opportunities for others as well,” said Howard Sulkin, president of the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, from which Mr. Heller received an undergraduate degree in Jewish studies and later served on the board.
Mr. Heller grew up on the Northwest Side, entranced by animal life. He also received a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Chicago State University before joining the Army.
According to his family and historical records, in World War II, while assigned to an infantry medical detachment, Mr. Heller was present for invasions in North Africa, Italy and the post-D-Day offensive at Utah Beach in June 1944. He received the Silver and Bronze Stars–awards reserved for conspicuous combat gallantry, which he denied. He also was awarded the Purple Heart.
When he came home, he turned to teaching and received a PhD in academic administration from the University of Chicago in 1952.
“He tried everything,” said his wife, whom he married in 1960. “He loved learning something new–whatever he liked, he could throw himself into.”
He retired from the classroom in 1985. Two years later, he volunteered at the Chicago Botanic Garden near his Highland Park home.
Around that time, he became a founding member of the Sedum Society, created in 1987 to spread cuttings of plants in the genus sedum, a plant with leathery leaves and brilliant flowers found in sunny and rocky spots.
“He was looking for something unusual, and he latched onto the Sedums because, he said, `they thrived on neglect,'” his wife said.
Other survivors include two daughters, Lynn MacBeth and Miriam Bader; a brother, Eugene; and four grandchildren.
Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, in Piser Chapel, 9200 N. Skokie Blvd., Skokie.
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jjanega@tribune.com
