Murray Heimberg

Memphis - Dr. Murray Heimberg passed away November 17, 2025, in Memphis, TN after a month-long illness, two months before his 101st birthday. Dr. Heimberg was a prominent research and clinical pharmacologist retiring as Chairman of the Department of Pharmacology and Distinguished Emeritus Professor at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis.

While at UTHSC Dr. Heimberg performed extensive research in and treating of patients for metabolic cardiovascular illnesses at both Methodist University Hospital and the Veteran's Hospital. Even after retirement at age 93, he continued participating in patient evaluation and consulting until his terminal illness.

Dr. Heimberg grew up very poor in Brighton Beach, New York. When he graduated high school at age 16 he had no way to go to college. Working on a dairy farm qualified him for entry to Cornell University. After he turned 18, he enlisted in the US Army. On November 29, 1944, at age 19, his platoon was surrounded and attacked, forcing the surviving members to surrender. He recovered from his wounds and survived tuberculosis in POW Camp in eastern Germany, escaping in the spring of 1945. Receiving his Honorable Discharge in November 1945, he returned to Cornell as a pre-Med student and completed BS and MS degrees. Following a PhD in Biochemistry at Duke University, post-doctoral work led to an Assistant Professor position at Vanderbilt University, where he also obtained his MD. After 15 years as full Professor in the Dept. of Pharmacology, Dr. Heimberg became Chairman of the Dept. of Pharmacology at the University of Missouri. In 1981 he was chosen as Chairman of the Dept. of Pharmacology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN.

In his private life, Dr. Heimberg was a devoted husband and loving father. He was an avid racquetball player and an artist in many media from charcoal drawings to blowing glass figurines (as well as glass apparatus for his research laboratory). He played the piano and mandolin, travelled throughout the world, read extensively, and was an animal lover, always having a menagerie of animals at home. Additionally, he was a member of Temple Israel Synagogue and the Shady Grove Presbyterian Church, where for a time he taught Sunday school.

Dr. Heimberg was preceded in death by his wife Anna Langlois Heimberg, parents, Gustav and Fannie (Geller) Heimberg, sister Dorothy Friedman, and brother Arnold Heimberg. He is survived by his sons Richard Heimberg (Linda Macaluso) and Steven Heimberg (Seng Hak); two stepsons Larry Knox (Sheri) and David Knox; two nieces Gail Starkey and Susan Heimberg; nephew Barry Friedman; four grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren.

The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday December 3 at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, TN (615) 608-4097. Visitation will be at 11:00 am until 12:00, the graveside service to follow.

A Memorial Service will be held at Temple Israel 1375 E. Massey Rd, Memphis, TN 38120 on Friday December 5 at 10:30 am. The Family will be at home Friday afternoon and all-day Saturday for condolence calls.

In lieu of flowers please make a Memorial donation to the American Heart Association.