David A. Heikinen

David A. Heikinen, 81, died on January 14, 2023 at Select Specialty Hospital in Ann Arbor, following complications associated with heart surgery on November 4. He was born on October 7, 1941 in Detroit, Michigan, to Albin and Violet Heikinen. He graduated from Redford High School in Detroit where he played violin in a string quartet with friends. He also played the piano.

After four years in the Air Force, he completed his college education at Monteith College, a program within Wayne State University, and then he pursued a Masters Degree in Education at Northern Michigan University. In 1970, he began a 36 year teaching career at Houghton Middle and High Schools teaching Civics, History, and Geography. He was also the Year Book editor. A favorite joy was to broadcast the annual baseball and basketball games between students and teachers even though he himself was not familiar with the nuances of either games!

Dave married Denise on March 30, 1967, before moving to the Houghton area in 1970. Denise survives him as does their son, Sam, his wife Yang Liu, and their children Sammi (15) and Waylon (10) who live in Pittsburgh. Other survivors include his sister Nancy in Ann Arbor, Denise's siblings, several cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Dave loved music of all kinds, especially jazz and classical, but also blues, rock, rap, reggae, and country music. Music formed a common ground in his discussions with students. One former student commented that his conversations with Dave about music were what motivated him to become a teacher. Dave enjoyed long nature hikes in the woods. He was a vociferous reader of eclectic material, but his wry sense of humor enabled him to see things from multiple perspectives.

Humor was at the base of his outlook on life as his preference for the funnies section of the newspaper indicated. Among his favorite cartoonists were Linda Barry, Gary Larson, Bill Waterson, R. Crumb, and Roz Chast. Though an early sleeper, he would stay up way past his bedtime to watch Monty Python.

Above all, he appreciated people for the ways they were different, always advising people to "be themselves." He himself was proud to be known as an "odd duck." One neighbor said she smiles at the memory of his "Howdy, neighbor" greetings, which were invariably followed by "an unexpected but interesting story!"

His cremains will be spread on his favorite hiking trail. In lieu of flowers or other expressions of sympathy, contributions can be made in his memory to a scholarship fund being set up for Houghton School students who wish to pursue their passions after graduation. Contact Houghton Schools for information.