Tracy Walling Heneberger

1954 - 2015
Born in New London, CT on November 7, 1954, Tracy W. Heneberger, 60, died February 28, 2015 after a courageous yearlong struggle with glioblastoma. He grew up in Brazil, graduated from HS in Rye, New York, then earned a degree in Journalism from NYU. His interests soon thereafter turned to art and sculpture which became his career and life's passion.

Tracy shared life in Brooklyn, NY with his wife, artist Susan Mayr, and their many close friends. He loved collecting organic materials for his pieces; working in his studio; casting bronze in Beijing, where he also lectured at the Central Academy of Fine Arts; and exhibiting his work.

Tracy's sculpture often started with organic or mineral forms, later permanently sealed in bronze or aluminum casts, shellac or resin. As described at his 2010 Seton Hall University show, "Heneberger often uses iterations of materials that organize smaller parts into a well-ordered whole of line, pattern, color and shape. By combining natural elements in rhythmic ways, the end result is at once rich in detail and yet elegantly simple."

Significant to Tracy's artwork were experiences around nature and water growing up. As he expressed for his show "Undercurrent" at Kerrigan Campbell Gallery in 2003, "I am at home in water. When near a body of water - a creek, a lake, an ocean - I want to be in it.... The places with which I have identified most of my life - Bahia, Rio, Newport and Norcross Pond, Maine - all are defined to me by family and water. For me, some of nature's most poetic and spirited theatre occurs under water. At a healthy reef schools of fish pour over the coral in molten metal.... and the entire reef.... vibrates with movement, color and possibility."

In addition to doing his creative work, some of Tracy's happiest times in life were spent during summer trips to Mabou, Nova Scotia with Susan, and family visits to Norcross Pond, ME; Newport, RI; Sarasota, FL; and Newark, DE.

Among the things that made Tracy a great companion were his sense of humor, intelligence, quick wit, adaptability, eagerness and devotion. He was polite, considerate, extremely hard working, and had all the attributes of a natural leader.

Tracy was passionate about his family, his friends, his art and standing up for his values, and we were passionate in our love and admiration for him. Memories of life with Tracy will always be treasured.

Tracy is the grandson of Captain and Mrs. Harry B. Heneberger and General and Mrs. Samuel B. Griffith. He is survived by his loving wife, Susan; parents Harry and Belle G. Heneberger; sister Belle Heneberger (Joseph Melancon); nephews Joshua and Jacob (Marissa) Melancon; their children Jaya, Tayton (Joshua) and Braxton (Jacob); maternal aunt Jane Griffith and cousins William Bell, Bruce and Robert Rushing; Susan's sisters: Patricia (Thomas) Twilley; Carol Buczik; and Judy Mayr; nieces and nephews Laura Buczik and Evan Winfree (Carol); Dustin Twilley and Lindsay Tadduni (Patricia); and many other beloved family and friends.