Owen Albert Heng

Owen Albert Heng, 71, passed away Aug. 14, 2010, at Mid-Michigan Medical Center. He was born Dec. 11, 1938 in Marshalltown, Iowa to Oscar and Amy (White) Heng.

Owen earned undergraduate degrees and then a Ph.D in chemical engineering from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, in 1965. He was awarded a national competition graduate fellowship sponsored by the Instrument Society of America, was awarded a Phillips Petroleum Fellowship and was elected to the Phi Lambda Upsilon honorary chemistry and chemical engineering fraternity.

Owen was employed by Dow Corning Corp. from 1965 to 1999, where he worked in process engineering and in corporate facilities engineering. Owen worked for 19 years as a manufacturing consultant for the Hemlock Semiconductor Corporation, a subsidiary of Dow Corning Corporation. He was honored by the Northeast Michigan Section of the Instrument Society of America as Engineer of the Year in 1982. Owen received two chemical process patents. He was honored by Dow Corning with promotion to the title of "Scientist." Owen retired from HSC on Dec. 31, 1999.

Owen was formerly the chairman of the Larkin Township Planning Commission, served on the Larkin Zoning Board of Appeals, and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Midland. He was active in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, was a volunteer for Big Brothers, and was a tutor for Central Middle School.

Owen enjoyed deer hunting, traveling, boating and snow skiing. He was restoring a 1930 Model "A" Ford Four-Door Deluxe Sedan.

Owen is survived by his wife of 45 years, Cathy (Lundon), whom he married on July 24, 1965. He also is survived by his children, Melissa Kraus, Michigan City, Ind., Kathleen (EJ) Biallas, Madison, Ind., and Jeffery (Christine) Heng, Denver, Colo.; brothers Arthur (Joan) Heng, Dean (Nancy) Heng, Duane (Mary Jane) Heng, and Raymond (Maree) Heng; and one sister, Janet (Richard) Holtz. He also is survived by four grandchildren, Sebastian and Nicholas Biallas, and Hadley and Amelia Heng.

Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010, from the Trinity Lutheran Church, 3701 Jefferson Ave in Midland. The Rev. Gerald Ferguson will officiate, with burial to take place Friday in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Anamosa, Iowa. Owen's family will receive friends at the Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 W. Wheeler St., on Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. and at church on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until time of services. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider The Dr. Owen A. Heng Chemical and Biological Engineering Scholarship Fund at: The Iowa State University Foundation, 2305 University Blvd. Ames, Iowa 50010-2230