Thomas Carl Heilmann

Commander Thomas Carl Heilmann USN (Ret.) of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., passed away on Sunday, November 8, 2009, due to complications related to mesothelioma. He is the son of the late Carl G. Heilmann and the late Elouise J. Heilmann. Cdr. Heilmann is survived by his wife of 41 years, Diane T. Heilmann; three sons, T. Carl Heilmann II, of Jacksonville, Fla., J. Patrick Heilmann and his wife, Patti, and their children, Aiden, Zac and Abigail, also of Jacksonville, Fla., and Benjamin L. Heilmann and his wife, Abbey, of Raleigh, N.C.; his sister, Marie H. Vodak, of Annapolis, Md.; two sisters-in-law, Linda Ratliff and Mary Ann Cummings; a brother-in-law, Bill Cummings; four nephews; and a niece.
A 1968 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Cdr. Heilmann obtained a master of science degree in physics from the Naval Postgraduate School.
Cdr. Heilmann's naval career spanned 21 years, including afloat assignments on destroyers and frigates, with multiple deployments. He served one year as a Naval Advisor in Vietnam, followed by postgraduate education and designation as an Engineering Duty Officer. His follow on assignments focused on Carrier Repair and Service Life Extension. His final assignment was on the staff of Commander Naval Surface Forces Atlantic as Surface Ship Repair Coordinator. His service awards and decorations include numerous campaign and service medals.
Upon retirement from the Navy, Cdr. Heilmann began working for Jacksonville Shipyards, Inc. He then joined Applications Engineering Group, Inc. in 1994 as Principal Scientist, and in 1996 he became a partner in the company.
Cdr. Heilmann served for over 20 years in various positions on the board of the Jacksonville Chapter of the Naval Academy Alumni Association.
In celebration of Cdr. Heilmann's life, a Memorial Mass will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 14, 2009, at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 545 A1A N., Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, P.O. Box 91840, Santa Barbara, Calif., 93190-1840.
Please visit our online Tribute at quinn-shalz.com. Services under the direction and care of Quinn-Shalz, A Family Funeral Home, Jacksonville Beach, Fla., 904-249-1100.