George H Heller , VRHS Class of 1956
George H. Heller, 79, died Sunday, June 17, 2018, in Athens, N.Y. Born at home in Rensselaer to John and Margaret Heller; he attended Rensselaer Public Schools and graduated from Van Rensselaer High School in 1956. He graduated from R.P.I. with a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering and accepted a job as a valuation engineer with the N.Y.S. Division of Equalization and Assessment. He joined the United States Air Force in March 1962 and later returned to the Division of Equalization and Assessment in July 1965, retiring as principal valuation engineer in 1994. He retired from the Air National Guard in 1988 and from the Air Force Reserve in 1992 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. For many years, George was a member of the Yankee Doodle Band, Elks, American Legion PSIA, Civil Air Patrol and Coxsackie Sportsmen's Club. He was an avid skier and loved working as a certified ski instructor at Brodie and Windham Mountains. He also enjoyed flying and was a certified flight instructor. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Margaret Heller; brother John and sister-in-law Mary. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Marilyn (Schaefer) Heller; four children, Lauren, Gretchen (Steve), Ingrid and Hans (Christina); grandchildren, Tyler and Evan; brother Frank Heller and sister-in-law Jane Heller. Interment is in the Saratoga National Cemetery, 200 Duell Rd, Schuylerville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Civil Air Patrol, 130 Sicker Rd, Latham, NY, 12110.