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Art Heyman Obituary
The school said Tuesday family members say Heyman died Monday night in Florida. The cause of death was not available. He was 71.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski says Heyman was "one of the elite players to ever wear a Blue Devil uniform."
Heyman led Duke to a 69-14 record from 1960-63 and averaged 25 points and nearly 11 rebounds. He was the most outstanding player of the 1963 Final Four.
He's tied for 12th on Duke's career scoring list (1,294 points) and is one of three Blue Devils to average a double-double for three straight seasons.
Heyman was drafted by the New York Knicks in 1963 and played eight seasons in the NBA and ABA.
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
57 Entries
Andrew Jablon
June 7, 2024
I knew Art when I was a little kid in Oceanside NY. He was best friends with my neighbor Howie. They sort of adopted me and let me hang with them during their high school years. I was eight. We then moved away. If anyone knew him please reach out to me. [email protected]
August 28, 2023
Artie and I grew up in Oceanside, LI , NY.
We remained friends almost until his passing.
I’m so sorry we lost such a wonderful and good person.
Ronnie Horman Perl
Dawn
May 14, 2020
I will always love you.
May 13, 2020
I will always love you.
How you can show support
Steven F. Amidon
June 29, 2018
Art was one of my early heroes on the court. Remember the fire he had, a thirst, a passion to do his best.
They say there is no life without passion. Art lived that... always.
Les Ronick
December 23, 2016
Saw him play in high school with Bill Dosedlo, a great Oceanside 1-2 punch.
Gary Lipsitz
July 19, 2014
Hi---I worked for Art in NYC in his and his then wife, Barbara, in their restaurant called Gobbler's Knob. We had good times and Art was someone I never really got to know as much as I would have liked to. Gary Lipsitz (now Pine Bluff, Arkansas)
Mark Lawson
October 20, 2012
Grew up in Durham watching Art play at Duke home games and listening to away games while keeping a scorecard. Will forever remember him for choosing this "wide eyed" kid as a fillin on his 5 on 5 games at the old Carr junior high outside courts during the offseason. He was indeed my hero.
September 6, 2012
art we had a lot of fun in high school together. fun playing with you. remember when you and larry brown and i pladfyed on a tournament team together
barry traynor
Patrick Smith
September 3, 2012
Thanks for the memories Art! I don't know any other Blue Devil that had your fire! R.I.P.
September 1, 2012
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Joseph Long
September 1, 2012
God bless the family of Art Heyman and God bless Art Heyman.There has never been anyone like him. May his family please accept my deepest sorrow in the passing of such an influential giant.
August 30, 2012
God bless the family of Art Heyman during their time of loss and sorrow.
May God give you strength, peace and comfort at this time.
August 30, 2012
To Arts family:May the God of all comfort, comfort you at this time. And give you peace.1Cor 1:3,4 Ms. Sargent
August 30, 2012
To the family of Art Heyman may God give you comfort and peace by means of prayer - Philipians 4:6,7. My deepest sympathy
August 30, 2012
To the family of Art Heyman, please allow me to extend my heartfelt condolences for the recent loss of your dear love one. I know what an empty and helpless feeling a death in one's family can cause. Be assured that God is willing and able to assist us when we are facing difficult times such as this. Psalms 46:1
Victoria Nofi
August 30, 2012
"Basketball Man"
You bounce and fly
from one end of the court
to the other,
eyes darting,
adrenaline pumping,
all impulse, all reaction
with no conscious plan."
4/12/89
August 30, 2012
Wow, I loved that guy when he played for the ABA Champs Pittsburgh Pipers. Seemed like a great guy.
Butch Cannon
August 30, 2012
Simply put, Art Heyman was my hero. Sorry to hear of his passing. May he rest in peace. God bless Mr. Heyman.
john trimble
August 30, 2012
played against Art in 59 Long Island playoffs,he scored 40 points so easy it didnt seem to hurt. Great player. God bless him.
George Winters
August 30, 2012
My consolences. Art was a great basketball player in high school and later in life.
George Winters - Oceanside class of '59
john bowden
August 30, 2012
a fine gentleman and a good friend. i last saw art 2 weeks ago and we shook hands. he was in good spirits. he will be truly missed.
Buzz Mewhort
August 30, 2012
I grieve for the loss of my teammate, road roommate, Co-Captain, and dear friend with whom I shared so much.
August 30, 2012
Such a major loss, you have my deepest condolences.
Linda
August 30, 2012
Job asked? If a able bodied man should die can he live again?
You will call, And I myself will answeryou. For the work of your hands you will have a
yearning. Like Job can look forward to a time when God will call and he will answer.
J. T. Masaryk
August 30, 2012
Most are too young to remember, but Art Heyman was one of the greatest Duke players ever. There is a great deal of information about Heyman in the Connie Hawkins' biography, "Foul!" And I believe Heyman played with Hawkins with the Pittsburgh ABA franchise as well as the New York Gems in a summer league. He used to introduce himself as "Arthur Bruce Heyman." Quite a character and a player well known by the cognoscenti before basketball got to be big time.
Jim Henningsen
August 29, 2012
Heyman family & friends,
Sorry to hear of Art's passing. As a ball boy for the Minnesota Pipers I had the pleasure of watching him play while sitting courtside. Art sure gave it all and a great competitor! RIP.
Susan Koenog
August 29, 2012
I am sadddened to learn of the passing of Art Heyman. I was a classmate of Art at Oceanside High School - he sat behind me in homeroom for 3 yrs. What a big loss for the class of 1959.
Frankie Young
August 29, 2012
May God bless and comfort Sandy and Tracy and the entire family. Haven't seen you guys since Art Heymans Hair Connection! Take care [email protected]
Michael Blum
August 29, 2012
I remember Art from Oceanside High School. The team won the county basketball championship game in 1959. He was a classmate and will be missed. I last saw Art at our 50th class reunion in 2009. My condolences to his family and friends. Michael Blum Class of 1959.
August 29, 2012
My prayers go out to the Heyman family. He is in God's remembrance.
Russ Mulroy
August 29, 2012
Shocked by his passing, Art Heyman was my idol growing up on Long Island in the 50s & early 60s. Played against him in high school in '59 & always at the courts at Central School in Long Beach NY. He was the greatest & most exciting high school player I've ever
seen. Spoke w/ him last winter in Rockville Centre & he was his old contankerous self. Take no prisoners attitude still at 70. Nobody played the game the way Art did. He certainly lived his life on his own terms. RIP my friend.
Gary Huguenot
August 29, 2012
I've had the pleasure to know Art for the last 5 yrs and enjoyed his stories and his great sense of humor! He certainly mellowed in his later years! We will miss him here at BB&T!!
Danny Brackett
August 29, 2012
I am saddened today. Art Heyman was my first Duke hero and I have had many. I was fortunate to see him play in person. The court belonged to him and he cleared space very well. I am so happy they finally retired his jersey. He was the man on the floor.
Shay Baptiste
August 29, 2012
Dear Family, you have my deepest heartfelt condolences. May God be with you to bring you comfort and peace through this difficult time. He promises us at Isaiah 61:2, 25:8 "he will actually do away with death forever...will certainly wipe the tears from all faces."
Ron Reshefsky
August 29, 2012
Barb
August 29, 2012
Family and friends of Art Heyman please find comfort in God's inspired word the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16).
August 29, 2012
To the the family of Art Heyman - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that he will be missed by many.
Ralph Bayko
August 28, 2012
I remember Art as the cool Pittsburgh Piper player who me and my friend Jimmy hurley asked for an autograph following a game. Not only did he give us the autograph, but said meet me here, on the bottom concourse of the old civic arena before the next home game and I will have you boys behind the bench!! So, we showed up ,and sure to his word Mr.Heyman took us in through the players entrance and told the usher to seat us behind the bench and I mean directly behind the bench. After the game he filled us each an official ABA ball!! He suddenly rivaled Roberto as our boyhood idol. I can still remember that weekday night in the steelcity. I sometimes think about those days and Mr.Heyman. WOW....I'm devestated by his passing..I will never forget how he went out of his way to make to city kids feel special for just one night in the steelcity. Though, We never really knew Mr.Heyman; we did know him b/c what he showed us that night was that he was a cool guy with a heart of gold. I will always cherish Mr.Heyman and never forget him. He is a huge part of my life memory. May God Bless him and place him on the A - Team.
With sincere respect,
Ralph Bayko, Braddock Hills/San Francisco.
William Wilson
August 28, 2012
Art Heyman was my hero. I had his picture on my wall as a child. I was fortunate enough to watch many of his games. I tried to emulate his play, but God has bestowed those gifts on only a chosen few. Godspeed, Art Heyman, your greatness shall live on in our memories.
August 28, 2012
To the family of Art Heyman may God give you comfort and peace by means of prayer - Philipians 4:6,7. My deepest sympathy
August 28, 2012
As Art's 1961-2 co-captain and travel room mate, I grew to know and love this unique person. I feel deeply his loss and will cherish his memory as a great player and special individual. No player has ever meant as much to Duke basketball.
Richard Hurtz
August 28, 2012
I just played one on one with Art yesterday. What happened ? Sorry to hear about your loss. Have a nice day. RIP
Marian
August 28, 2012
Sending my sincere condolence to Mr.Heyman family and friends, this loss is painful a we just can't get use to death it is unatural simply because God did not created us to die. John 17;3. This means everlasting life their taking in knowledge of Jehovah and Jesus Christ
Bob Hartman
August 28, 2012
Art was one helluva scorer for Duke and held his own with college's elite teams. May he rest in peace for eterntiy.
August 28, 2012
May you find comfort in the Hearer of prayer. Psalm 65:2
Fred Ruben
August 28, 2012
Art hosted me and my son at his restaurant. We are both Duke grads. I watched all his games at duke.He was wonderful to us and reminisced about Duke basketball. it was an experience I will always cherish.
Ann Bradford
August 28, 2012
I am sorry for your family loss. Losing a loved one is never easy. The scripture at Pslams 46:1 reminds us to rely on God in difficult times like these because he is a refuge and will provide comfort.
bruce haughin
August 28, 2012
thanks for the championsip with the Pipers. Also, many friday nights watching the condors. Blessings to all!!
August 28, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss. Take comfort in knowing that very soon death and all suffering is to end.
August 28, 2012
You will always live in our hearts and prayers.
Robert Kilgore
August 28, 2012
I remember Art playing back in the 60's at Duke. He was one of a great player and scorer. He was Duke basketball back then. He will be greatly missed. RIP.
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