Philip Allen Heyer

Philip (Phil) Allen Heyer, 57, Rockford - Phil Heyer of Rockford died Monday, July 21, 2008 at Rockford Memorial Hospital after a massive stroke. He was born April 18, 1951 in Gary, Indiana, son of Glenn E. and Anna Jane (Hill) Heyer. He moved to Illinois as a child and lived in and near Freeport until moving to Loves Park at age five. He graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1973, with a B.S. in Sociology. He spent his first years after graduation working for the state of Illinois as a job placement counselor, helping clients find and keep work to support their families. In 1978, he moved to Sundstrand, where he worked as a buyer for many years. In 1989, he became Purchasing Manager for Belvedere Company in Belvidere and in 1992, he assumed the role of Purchasing Manager for A.O. Smith Harvestore in DeKalb. He maintained CPM, CPIM, and APICS certifications throughout his career. In 2003, he moved into the role of Senior Buyer/Planner for Harley-Davidson Motor Company in Milwaukee, where he worked until his death. Phil loved his family and friends, reading, music, and he especially loved making music. He was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockford, and was active in the churchs music program. In Rockford, he sang with the Men of Accord, the Bach Chamber Choir, the Community Chorale, and the Unicantors. He also found friends - and vocal exercise - with the choir of the Unitarian Universalist West Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin. He was an avid trumpeter, playing with the NIU Marching Huskies, as well as many jazz bands over the years, including the Old Town Band and the Jazz Band at Rock Valley College, the Tosa Community Jazz Band in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and the Command Performance Big Band in Elm Grove, Wisconsin. He loved playing his trumpet, enjoyed his time practicing and performing with these groups, and appreciated the company of his many Milwaukee friends. He met his wife at Rockfords Charlottes Web, where they enjoyed many performances together over the years. Phil is survived by his wife of 29 years, Kathe; his son, Ben; his sister, Jeanne (Bruce) Peterson of Rockford; sister June (Glen) Uhlig of Redwood City, California; brother Paul (Irina) Heyer of Antioch, Illinois; and many cousins, nephews, and nieces. The family thanks the doctors and staff in the Adult Intensive Care section of Rockford Memorial Hospital for their compassionate and caring help for Phil and his family and friends. Honoring Phils wishes, his organs were donated through the Gift of Hope Network. The family finds comfort in the fact that his last generous gesture will help others live. Memorial service at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 2, 2008 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockford, 4848 Turner Street, Rockford, Illinois with a reception immediately following the service; Rev. Linda Lawrence will officiate. Private burial at Scandinavian Cemetery in Rockford. Memorials can be made to the UU Church of Rockford, to be used for the churchs music program, or to North Suburban Library, 6340 N. Second Street, Loves Park, Illinois. Fitzgerald Funeral Home amp; Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. Rockford, IL 61108 assisted the family. To express condolences online please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com.