Charles I. Heller

HELLER Dr. Charles I. Heller, a man of immense kindness, deep intelligence and sharp wit, died on Friday, April 15, 2011, at Bridgeport Hospital. A memorial service was held Sunday, April 17, 2011 at the Abraham L. Green and Son Funeral Home, 88 Beach Rd. in Fairfield. Dr. Heller was born November 21, 1942 in Brooklyn, New York to Rita and Gabriel Heller and raised in New Jersey. He was the valedictorian of Livingston High School, class of 1959 and was graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Williams College in 1964. He then attended medical school at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons where he was elected to membership in the medical honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha. Dr. Heller next trained in Internal Medicine at Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA from 1968-1970. From 1970-1972, he served as a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Public Health Service and was a clinical associate at the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health. He then completed a radiology residency at Columbia University, College of P&S in 1975. In 1975, Dr. Heller joined what is now Advanced Radiology Consultants and eventually became a partner and a Senior Attending radiologist at Bridgeport Hospital. Dr. Heller was a gifted and versatile radiologist who was able to bring his training in internal medicine to bear on his evaluation of images; among other achievements, he was instrumental in introducing ultrasound to the Bridgeport Hospital community. In 2006, his contributions to the field of radiology were honored by his induction to Fellowship in the American College of Radiology. He is also remembered as a dedicated teacher. In work and play, Dr. Heller was often referred to as a "Renaissance man"; he was a man of many talents who was able to master almost anything to which he put his mind. He was a dedicated cyclist, an avid photographer and had a lifelong interest in and passion for classical music and opera. He was a world traveller who visited multiple countries and continents, but he also loved walking through the streets of New York City. He never refused his help to a friend or family member. He is survived by Sue Ann Heller, his wife and best friend of 49 years, his daughters, Samantha and Alison Heller, his sons-in-law Raj Bhattacharyya and Glen Roberts, his grandchildren, Kannon and Dashiell Bhattacharyya and Zoe and Gigi Roberts, and his brother, Richard Heller. He was deeply loved and will be forever missed. Donations should be sent to the Pan-Mass Challenge/Dana Farber Cancer Institute Jimmy Fund (http://www.pmc.org/egifts) or to the New York Philharmonic (http://nyphil.org).