Michael P. Heitzmann

Michael P. Heitzmann, who played roles in the administrations of two Denver Mayors and served as Executive Director of Denver Employees Retirement Plan for 17 years, died Saturday, May 4 after a brief exacerbation of a longstanding illness. He was 69. He is survived by his wife, Eileen Byrne, his daughters Monica Rosenbluth and Emily Heitzmann of Denver, and Maribeth Davies of Novato, CA, his sons-in-law Dan Rosenbluth and Todd Davies, and his three granddaughters, Lucy and Natalie Rosenbluth and Audrey Davies, as well as his sister Judy Stanmeyer of Great Falls, VA, her husband Bill and five children. Born and raised in Chicago, Mike first came to Denver when he was stationed at Fitzsimmons General Hospital during the Vietnam era. When work brought him back to Denver in the early 1970s, he became involved in the campaign of John Dee for Auditor and ultimately became Deputy Auditor of the City and County of Denver under Dee. In 1978, Mayor Bill McNichols brought him into the Mayor's Office as Assistant to the Mayor. When McNichols was defeated by Federico Pena for Mayor, Pena appointed him to the same position in his administration, uncommon in the transfer of power. In those roles, he was instrumental in the redevelopment of Denver, including the restoration of The Oxford Hotel in LoDo, and helped to reorganize city agencies such as the Building Department and Department of Motor Vehicles to improve customer service. A member of the Board of Directors of Denver Employees Retirement Plan for several years, he was asked to assume leadership of the organization in 1987. In his years in that role, he modernized The Plan's systems and investment policies, and enhanced service to its active and retired members. Prior to his retirement in 2004, DERP was recognized by the Colorado State Treasurer for its outstanding management and investment soundness among public pension funds in the state. He loved his roses, Denver trees, his highly engineered cars, and Notre Dame football. But most of all, he loved doing for others. His wife and daughters were the most constant beneficiaries of his generous heart. But he shared it as well with all he met, including his employees and those he met even casually in the course of his day. He leaves us all with a model for living in the interest of others rather than ourselves. Visitation will be Friday, May 10, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Horan & McConaty Funeral Home at 1091 S. Colorado Blvd in Denver. Funeral Mass will be offered at 10:00 am, Saturday, May 11, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church on East 7th Ave at Elizabeth St., Denver. Contributions in Mike's honor may be made to Autism Speaks or the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. Please share memories and leave condolences by signing the guestbook.