Robert Frederick Heitman

Robert (Bob) Frederick Heitman, 84, passed away after a short illness at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern, New York, on May 14, 2015. He was born April 23, 1931, in Queens, New York, to Frederick and Marie (nee Harrison) Heitman. Bob, born with natural artistic talent, was able to draw almost before he could walk. After attending the Pratt Institute School of Fine Arts, he was employed as a "Mad Man" Commercial Artist at the legendary Young & Rubicam Advertising Agency for over 18 years. Bob and his young family moved from Long Island to Blooming Grove in 1959 where he took on many of the enjoyments outdoor country life had to offer. He loved to camp, was a self-taught hunter and fisherman, raising and training bird dogs from puppies. He hand crafted Bamboo Fly Rods, designing and tying beautiful fishing flys, one of which was always in his cap when he went out. Loving golf, a member of Osiris Golf Club where he enjoyed socializing with friends, he traveled the world to play many great courses including St. Andrews in Scotland and always enjoyed the "Masters" tournament or as Bob called it, the "Super Bowl of Golf". Always busy, his most recent artistic enjoyment was to create masterpiece miniature ships out of wood, duplicating everything in exact imitation down to the smallest detail, a few of which had recently been on display at the Chester Public Library. Bob will be remembered for all of this and much, much more and for sitting in his Gazebo where he could enjoy the weather and his flowers in comfort. Bob was predeceased by his first wife, Alice Marie Benson and by his son, Donald T. Heitman. Survivors include his sons, Robert P. and Stephen Heitman and their families; his daughters Nancy Heitman and Judy Wilson and their families; former spouse Joan S. Heitman; step-daughter Carla H. Pennetta and their families and numerous grand and great grand-children. There will be no visitation. Cremation will occur at Oxford Hills Crematory, Inc., Chester, New York. A Marine and Korean War Veteran, Bob will be interred with Honor Guard Service at Orange County Veterans Cemetery, located at 111 Craigville Road, Goshen, New York 10924 on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 12:00 PM. Immediately following, there will be a repast at the Fratello Italian Restaurant, located at 22 Spring Street, Warwick, New York 10990 and all are welcomed by the family to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation in Bob's name be made to to one of his favorite charities: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, Tennessee 38101 or to The Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. Funeral arrangements and the cremation service have been entrusted to Thomas F. Flynn and the staff of Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, Inc., 139 Stage Road, Monroe, New York. For directions to the funeral home or to offer an online memorial please visit www.flynnfh.com