Steven Heyman

Dr. Steven D. Heyman died on February 22, during a snorkeling trip to Crystal River, Florida,
with his wife, Michele Whaley, to celebrate his 70th birthday. He lived an inspired and creative
life filled with adventures he shared with his wife, grandchildren, children, and friends.
A dedicated sailor, Steve navigated the Great Lakes, the Erie Canal, the Hudson River, and the
Atlantic and Caribbean Seas throughout his life. His love for the water began in his youth on the
shores of Long Island. He built his first sailboat in high school, often sailing along Alum Creek.
Steve expressed creativity in art. He was a painter. He discovered a love for bronze casting and
ceramics as a student at the Columbus Cultural Center. Eventually, he focused on woodworking.
Alongside Michele, they made annual sports-adventure trips, including skiing with their
granddaughters in the Pacific Northwest, adventure hikes through southwestern deserts, and
kayaking in tropical destinations. They sailed on Lake Erie from spring through late Fall, and
when on land, they'd be riding their bikes throughout Ohio and beyond. Steve rode in Pelotonia
from 2015-2021. He walked his beloved Gordon setters in Columbus' Park of Roses daily.
Survived by his wife Michele Whaley, daughters Jodi Heyman and Halle Heyman; son-in-law
Joshua Levitt, grandson Jack, and former wife Marcy Heyman; stepchildren Alex Kolodzik,
grandchildren Taylor, Katie, Ella Kolodzik, Dr. Kirsten (Rafe) Kusumi, and grandson Kai; and his
sisters Marsha Friedman and Diana Giles. Steve was preceded in death by his parents and his
brother Daniel.
Son of Dr. Jack J. Heyman and Lena "Lee" Heyman, Steve was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on
February 21, 1953.
Steve graduated from Eastmoor High School in 1971 and attended Miami University, majoring in
Zoology before studying Podiatric Medicine at The Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine.
A dedicated podiatrist, from 1980 to 1998, he ran two practices and could often be found caring
for elders in regional nursing homes, taking care of their feet and filling them with laughter and
youthful stories.
His family is hopeful, wherever Steve's spirit transcends, that he reunites with his brother Daniel,
his parents, and his beloved line of Gordon setters. He finally finds a crumb cake that lives up to
the memory of the one his grandparents, Bernie and Carrie Heyman, would bring from
Sunnyside Queens to their Islip home every Sunday morning. And the winds are favorable for a
long sail into the sunset.
The Memorial Service is Sunday, March 5, 2023, with calling hours starting at 2 PM at
Rutherford-Corbin Funeral Home, 515 High Street, Worthington, OH 43085. In place of flowers, please make donations in the name of Dr. Steven D. Heyman to Pelotonia http://www.pelotonia.org/profile/IS845807.