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Robert Parker Heist
February 27, 2025
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Robert (Rob) Heist, 80, of Brookline, MA died peacefully on Thursday, February 27, 2025. He was born in Lynn, MA on July 31, 1944, son of the late Ray and Barbara (Drown) Heist of Wayland, MA.
Rob was married to the late Marcia Madden of Wellesley, MA for 36 years. He is survived by his son, David T. Heist of Chestnut Hill, MA; his brother Kenneth and sister-in-law Mollie Heist of Crownsville, MD; his niece Kathleen Grimstad, her husband Jordan and daughter Maeve of Zürich, Switzerland. He is also survived by his health care aides Timothy Morris and Harrison Futrell, whose extraordinary long-term care for Rob helped enable Rob’s independence.

In 1955, after several other moves, his family relocated to Mt. Lebanon, PA where, as a youngster, he sailed his 8’ Pram on the Monongahela River. He attended three memorable years at Mt. Lebanon High School. His family then moved to Wayland, MA. There he treasured the family 13’ motorboat which he took on many family adventures. Rob graduated from Wayland High School in 1962.

Rob went to Tufts University and earned a BA in Economics in 1966. He was a member of the Zeta Psi fraternity and the Tufts Yacht Club, continuing his lifelong passion for boating. He was also manager of the Varsity Swim Team. He really loved being a member of the Tufts Beelzebubs, the men’s a cappella group. He has enjoyed a lifetime of singing and camaraderie with the Beelzebubs and their Alumni Association.

In 1966, after his senior year at Tufts, Rob’s life changed dramatically following a water-skiing accident that left him a quadriplegic. After his accident, he recovered at Boston University Hospital and went into rehab at Rusk Institute, then in NYC. Through hard work and tenacity, Rob learned how to be very independent.

Rob’s professional career was with the John Hancock Life Insurance Company in Boston from 1967 to 2014. He began by servicing policy contracts, later teaching how to service contracts, and then designing new corporate information systems. He earned his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) certification and became a corporate tax consultant until he fully retired.

Rob was a man of great faith and member of the United Parish in Brookline. He served as a Deacon and as Church Treasurer, taught Sunday School and was on several committees over the many years including his on-going work advocating for accessibility and disability rights. Rob was a strong advocate for people with spinal cord injuries and served on the Brookline Commission on Disability.

In recent years Rob and David have kept a new family motorboat at a marina on Lake Winnipesaukee. Most weekends they motor among the islands relaxing, picnicking, and enjoying the sun and the wind in their hair.

Funeral arrangements have been made with George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington St., Wellesley MA (tel. 781-235-4100). Visiting hours will be Saturday, March 22, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. The church service will be held on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 2:00 PM at the United Parish in Brookline, 210 Harvard Street (tel. 617-277-6860). A reception will follow. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made in memory of Robert Heist to: Dana Farber Cancer Institute, to the Marcia Heist Cancer Fund (www.danafarber.org), Beelzebubs Alumni Ass’n: (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=4VBDFNLMDP6M6), or United Parish in Brookline (www.unitedparishbrookline.org/about-us/giving-and-stewardship)