On January 15th, 2022, Peter B. Heyler of Missoula departed this world for his next adventure.
He was born Peter Bernhard Heymann on November 6, 1937 in Hamburg Germany to parents Hans Wilhelm and Elisabeth Anna (Bundschuh) Heymann and arrived in the United States in February of 1939. His father changed their surname to Heyler and Pete became a citizen of the U.S. in 1944, reconfirming that citizenship when he was 18. He grew up in Trenton, NJ and Washington Crossing, PA, attended The George School in Newtown, PA from where he graduated in 1956. He then attended Yale University and Harvard Business School, graduating in 1960 and 1962 respectively.
He worked in public accounting for four years, receiving CPA certificates in New York and Pennsylvania, and then served as chief financial officer for three different manufacturing companies before starting his own consulting and financial education consulting firm in 1981. He spent many years teaching continuing education programs for CPA societies around the country along with a variety of financial management consulting projects including project consulting assignments for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) until he totally retired in 2021.
In September of 1961, Pete said the wisest two words of his life (“I do”!) marrying Virginia (Gingy) Anne Clark of Bala-Cynwyd, PA. They lived for four years in New York City where they both worked, and then moved to Newtown, PA, living there for 32 years and raising three sons. In 1998, they moved to Missoula, MT, the second-best decision of his life.
Pete was active in the First Presbyterian Church of Newtown, PA serving as Deacon, Elder and 17 years as Clerk of Session. At First Presbyterian Church of Missoula, he served among other tasks as Treasurer from 2016 until 2021. He also spent eight years as Treasurer on the Board of the International Choral Festival, and sang with the Presbyterian Church choir, the Missoula Symphony Chorale and the Mendelssohn Club.
Pete and Gingy loved traveling and visited all seven continents. Through work and personal travel, Pete visited about 80 countries, and he and Gingy were always looking for new places to see. He is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Gingy and three sons, Jon (Laura deceased), Doug and Scott (Pam) and six grandchildren, Sydney and Alli (Jon and Laura’s), Lex (Doug’s), Benjamin, Cody and Jessica (Scott and Pam’s).
Contributions in Pete’s memory can be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Missoula and the International Choral Festival.
A memorial service will be held later in 2022.
Arrangements are under the care of Garden City Funeral Home. Gardencityfh.com.
Published by Missoulian on Jan. 23, 2022.