Dr. Ralph D. Heister, Jr. (90) – Son of Ralph D. Heister Sr and Elsie Holt Heister of Narberth, PA, passed away on September 11, 2022. He is survived by his brother Dr. John Heister (Sharon), wife, Theresa Heister, his four children – Gretchen (Marshall), Kristina, Ralph (Kristin), and Kurt (Leigh) and 10 grandchildren, Sarah (Ryan), Erin (Carl), Liesl, Jessica, Susannah, Emma, Meghan, Kate, Ben, and Madeline and one precious great grandchild – Jacob.
In addition to being a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, he was also an award-winning science teacher and environmental advocate. After earning his B.A. In Agricultural Science at The Pennsylvania State University in 1953, he served in the U.S. Army Medical Corp. He returned to Penn State in 1955 to earn a Master of Science and later a Doctoratoral degree. He began his teaching career in Freeport, Long Island, and then spent the next 35 years as a teacher and Head of the Biology Department at Conestoga High School/TE School District in Berwyn, PA. Awards from the Green Valleys Association, Trout Unlimited, PA Legislature, PA Medical Assoc. and many others followed, including a PA Biology Teacher of the Year award and the first Penn State Alumni Association award for Outstanding Teaching.
He finished his career working for the protection of watersheds and water resources in Chester County, PA, as President and Executive Director of the Green Valleys Watershed Association. His last years were spent at Cornwall Manor, Cornwall, PA.
Relatives and friends are invited to join us to celebrate his life on October 22, 2022, between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm at Paoli Presbyterian Church. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Green Valleys Watershed Association, 1368 Prizer Road, Pottstown, PA 19465, or online at www.greenvalleys.org/support
