Jacob Heil

Heil, Jacob D.D.S. Memorial services for Dr. Jacob (J) Heil will be Friday, February 1, 2 p.m. at St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 3141 West 96th Avenue. Dr. Heil, a retired dentist, died January 24 at his home in Covenant Village. Embedded in the civic, cultural and political fabric of Westminster for nearly 50 years, there are few community enrichments that were not touched by his leadership, service and support. A consummate Rotarian, Dr. Heil joined the local club in 1961 shortly after it was chartered, and remained passionate about its programs and mission until the time of his death. He was elected president for the 1965-66 year, served several terms as a director, with his family hosted international exchange students, and became one of the club’s early Paul Harris Fellows. Twice the recipient of the Rotary Vocational Service award, he was recognized by Rotary District 5450 with its Outstanding Service award and for many years instructed incoming club presidents in the Rocky Mountain region about the goals and objectives of Rotary. During his six-year term as a member of the School District 50 Board of Education (1970-75), Dr. Heil was especially involved in the design and construction of the present Westminster High School. A charter member of the Westminster and District 50 Chamber of Commerce, he was later honored with that organization’s Outstanding Community Service award. Always in step with the process and progress of local government, Dr. Heil for 18 years buttressed the pace-setting civic activities of his wife, Nancy, who was Westminster’s first elected mayor. She distinguished that position for 10 years (1991-2001), preceded by eight years as a City Councilor. An advocate for the arts, Dr. J, co-founded the Westminster Community Artist Series (now re-named the North Metro Arts Alliance) in 1983, and served two terms on its Board of Directors during formulative years. In 1999, the Heil’s partnered with Marilyn and Wilbur Flachman to contribute Westminster’s first citizen-commissioned bronze public art, “Storytime” installed at the new College Hill Library. The Colorado Dental Association benefited immeasurably from Dr. J’s contributions. He was elected president of the CDA in 1990, served as Speak of the House of Delegates and was a consultant to the Colorado State Board of Dental Examiners and the dental consultant for Coors Brewing Company. The Colorado Dental Association honored Dr. Heil with its distinguished Service Award in 1992. His imposing professional career included a stint as Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Colorado School of Dentistry. An avid jogger and runner for several years, Dr. J. was always ready for a round of golf, and greatly appreciated Rotary recreational fellowship activities like houseboating at Lake Powell and horsepacking in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. In retirement years, he became actively connected with Denver’s German/Russian society, utilizing its resources to trace his family heritage from Germany to Russia to Maryland to Rocky Ford. Jacob Heil was born October 22, 1929 in Rocky Ford, Colorado, the seventh of nine children reared by Gottlieb and Mary Heil. Following graduation from Rocky Ford High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served much of his four year tour of duty in Korea. Upon discharge, he enrolled at Pueblo Junior College, soon transferring to the University of Colorado at Boulder, where he earned his BA degree in 1956. His educational journey then took him to the University of Buffalo, New York. With a DDS behind his name, in 1960 J. returned to Colorado and opened his dental practice in Westminster at 73rd and Irving. J. and Nancy Nielsen were married December 28, 1954 in Buffalo, her hometown. Nancy resides at Covenant Village in Westminster. Also surviving: son, Dr. Brian Heil, now operating Heil Dental Arts in Westminster, (wife Tammy) and grandchildren Lauren, 16 and Christian 13; daughter Karen Miller (husband Gary), Lakewood, and grandchildren Eden 11, Elias 9, Emmet 7 and Ezekiel 4; daughter Marnie and daughter Sarah, both Adams County residents. Surviving brothers and sisters include: Mrs. Pauline Gall and Samuel Heil, California residents; and Mrs. Lydia Doxon, who lives in Texas. Deceased are three brothers, two sisters, three half-brothers and one half-sister. Friday’s community memorial service will be preceded by a private family service and inurnment January 31 at Ft. Logan National Cemetery. Following Friday’s community memorial service, family members are hosting a reception at Hyland Hills Golf Course Restaurant, 9650 Sheridan Blvd. The Heil Family is requesting that memorials in J’s name be made to: Westminster Rotary Foundation, P.O. Box 2, Westminster, Colorado 80036. (Contributed by Wilbur Flachman is a long-time friend of the Heil family and retired publisher of MetroNorth Newspapers).