John J. Heimark

Mankato Mortuary1001 N. Riverfront DriveMankato, MN  56001(507) 388-2202 Dr. John Jacob “Jack” Heimark, 94, passed away peacefully at Ecumen Pathstone Living on Thursday, January 14, 2016. He was a proud alum of the US Naval Academy in Annapolis where he served in the South Pacific during WWII on the destroyer U.S.S.  Schroeder and was awarded nine battle stars. He attended medical school at the University of Minnesota followed by residencies at Stanford University and the Mayo Clinic.  He finished his military career in the Medical Corp when he rejoined the Naval Reserves.  He was married to his beloved wife of 61 years Ann, who survives him as do their three children, Craig Foster (Libby) Heimark of Palo Alto, CA, Laura Ann (Steve) Kennedy of Lake Forest, IL, and James Grant (Jayna) Heimark of Fort Collins, CO; and seven grandchildren, Jacob, Eric, Ryan, Helen, Julia, Kathleen and Craig. He is also survived by his sister, Betty Kitchell of Scottsdale, AZ; sister-in-law, Lee Heimark of Lincolnshire, IL; and brother-in-law, James Huntting, Jr of Naples, FL.  He was predeceased by a brother, Bruce; sister-in-law, Joanne Huntting; and brother-in-law, Sam Kitchell.Jack practiced as an internist at the Mankato Clinic for 49 years, joining in 1954, retiring in 1993.  He continued for another ten years as the medical director of the Mankato Lutheran home (now Ecumen Pathstone Living). He touched many lives with his kind and gentle manner, his dedication as a physician and brilliant diagnostician, a much beloved husband, friend, father, father-in-law, grandfather and uncle. Jack was a stranger to no one that crossed his path.Jack was happiest in the great outdoors, delighting in fishing western streams, hiking and swimming the north shore of MN and hunting in Minnesota, Montana and North Dakota. He scaled some of the world’s highest mountains, and traveled to many continents.As a dear family friend expressed, “A mighty oak has fallen – for Jack was a giant in the way he cared for every human life imparting wisdom from a deep God-anchored faith.”  Another friend said Jack’s life reminded him of Erma Bombeck’s published statement, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I could hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, I used everything you gave me. “ No doubt Jack gave everything he had and those who love him believe he now deserves a much earned rest.  A memorial service will be held in his honor in the Chapel of Ecumen Pathstone Living at 3:00 p.m. on February 5, 2016, and immediately following will be a Celebration of Life at the Mankato Golf Club until 7 p.m.  In lieu of any flowers please give a donation to Ecumen Pathstone.