David Arthur "Sandy" Heinlein

David Arthur "Sandy" Heinlein passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday morning, January 8, 2020, in one of his favorite spots to meditate and find peace.

David was born in Piscataway, NJ, on August 30, 1947. During his life, he traveled extensively and pursued varied studies and hobbies, including the martial arts as well as reading and writing in Japanese. Most notably, David was a published poet and language instructor who was celebrated by his family as well as the artistic community.

We will miss him, gone so suddenly from our lives: sisters Carol and Alice, nephews Robin and Jeremy, niece Randa, and brothers-in-law David and Paul, as well as friends and esteemed colleagues.

Devoted son to David M. and Elizabeth O. Heinlein. Ambassador of international understanding. Amherst College alumnus. Griffis researcher. Peace activist. He was a poet and a calligrapher. He was an educator. He loved all things Japanese. His ties with family and friends were always strong and loving.

A memorial service will be held in David's memory at Christ Church Episcopal in New Brunswick on Tuesday, January 14, at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to support the Christ Church Interfaith Rotating Men's Shelter. Please make check payable to "Christ Church" and note on memo line "homeless shelter." Christ Church Episcopal, 5 Paterson St., New Brunswick, NJ 08901.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Home News Tribune from Jan. 11 to Jan. 12, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for David Heinlein

Sponsored by Gleason Funeral Home of Somerset.

10 Entries

etc Hopkins / Old York Books

January 8, 2024

Arigato, Heinlein-san.
Your poems sing. We'll meet again. And yes we'll read James Joyce,
won't we?
You cannot be not missed. Your sister and the peonies - they too miss you;
Agape. Shalom. Marguerite sends love to you and Betty and David Michael.

Susan smith

September 1, 2020

so many fond memories of Cousin Sandy

Susan Smith

September 1, 2020

many fond memories of Cousin Sandy...

Dave Zhang

March 28, 2020

I knew Sandy since late 80's at Rutgers area since his Mom Bety was my wife's English teacher. We visited their Piscataway home several times and had a lot of fun time especially during the severy July 4th holidays. Later, I visited him since we became sole mates for the eastern culture since he studied Japanies and its culture, then later Sandy also tried to learn the Chinese antient poetry and the different styles of carigraphy with brush work. And for many years since 1990, we have been keeping many conversation and discussions about the Chinese antient culture especially the famous poets in Tang dynasty about the subjects in peace and love about every month. I can't believe that a solemate has gone silently since we only used to call each other about every 3 months since we were in different cities. Deeply missed Sandy a lot. Wish he lives in heaven with our beloved lord where his Mom and Dad are there too, and peace, love are always with them in heaven. Wish speak to his sisters. Dave9728912368

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Allison LiCalsi

January 15, 2020

Sandy was a truly unique spirit. I will not forget his gentle manner, his concern for others, or his love of all things Japanese. Rest In Peace, Sandy. You will be missed and always remembered by those whose lives you touched.

Cathy Ostermueller, Director

January 13, 2020

On behalf of the Metuchen Senior Center I wish to send condolences to David's family and friends. He passed through the Center now and again and was a lovely, sincere person. I am sure he will be missed in the community.

January 13, 2020

On behalf of the Metuchen Senior Center, I wish to send condolences to David's family. He passed through our Center now and again and was a charming, sincere person. I am sure he will be missed throughout the community.
Cathy Ostermueller, Director

Michael Derer

January 13, 2020

My sympathies to David's family. I served as an acolyte with David at Christ Church in the early 1960s. In subsequent years, I would occasionally run into David around New Brunswick and he would tell my wife and I about his latest activities. David was a kind and intelligent person who often remembered events from our young church lives that were hazy to me but quickly brought back to mind at his retelling. David was a champion of Christ Church and the historic record of New Brunswick. Sympathies from the Derer family to David's family.
Michael Derer

ET Cecile Hopkins

January 12, 2020

"We exchange The Peace
hand-to-hand-to-heart."
(David A Heinlein, from "Okinawan Christian Q", Dec. 2019, written in Piscataway, NJ)

Meditations and prayers about David and for
those he left behind - his sister Alice (who had
edited his "Brush Strokes" so beautifully),
his f/Friend Robin, his Heinlein family and his
parish family. Cecile.
(Mrs. Cecil de Mille Hopkins, Joyce's Bloomsday
Club and Old York Books, New Brunswick, now
- pro tem - Lebanon, New Hampshire.
January 12, 2020)

Julia Tozzi

January 12, 2020

On behalf of the Carthy family, we wish to express our sincere and deepest sympathy to Sandy's family and loved ones.
We go back a long way from Christ Church days in the '70's and Sandy was a good friend to my sister Betsy.
I feel fortunate that I was able to visit him and Mrs. Heinlein at their home in Piscataway back in '97 with Rachel, then 3 years old.
We talked, gardened, laughed, shared stories, and enjoyed some ice cream together.
With love and prayers, Julia Margaret (Carthy) Tozzi

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