Norman P. Heins

Heins, Norman P. ALBANY Norman P. Heins, 87, of South Lake Avenue, died October 1, 2008 at St. Peter's Hospital, Albany. Norman was the son of William F. and Ann Sablon Heins and was born in Albany, November 22, 1920. In the 1920s, the family moved to Glens Falls, where he attended elementary schools and graduated from Glens Falls High School in 1939. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942, serving in England, France and Germany until 1945 with Civil Affairs and Military Government Units. During this time, he attained the rank of sergeant. After World War II, Norman attended Skidmore College, graduating in 1950 with a B.A. in history. He furthered his education with a year of study under a foreign study program conducted by the University of Maryland. Norman was recalled to active duty during the Korean War, after which he decided to make the Army his career. Over the next 17 years, he attended several military intelligence schools and served in intelligence units in the U.S., Europe, including Fort Holabard, Md.; Fort Monroe, Va.; SHAPE Hqs, Belgium and units in France and Germany. He retired as a chief warrant officer-3 with 20 years active service and six years reserve. Norman was an experienced fly-fisherman visiting major trout streams in the Adirondack and Catskill Mountains. He especially loved the upper Hudson River and the Esopus River. He loved the Adirondack Mountains and spent as much time as possible camping hiking and fishing. Norman was a voracious reader of history, biography, psychology and philosophy. After retirement, he became interested in photography and became quite proficient in nature photography. He is survived by his wife, Raymonde Heins, whom he met while stationed in Paris in the early 60s; a stepdaughter, Sylvian Jaras; sisters, Ann Balk and Virginia Heins; nephew, Peter Balk; nieces, Christine Balk, Amy Armstrong and Nancy Wenning. He was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Walter Balk. Interment will be Tuesday, 1 p.m., October 28, 2008 at Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuyler-ville, N.Y.