Obituary of Elwood Julius Heerwagen

Elwood (Woody) Julius Heerwagen, Jr, Esq., 76 died after a long illness. As he struggled through his many medical set-backs, he will be remembered as a valiant fighter, adored by those who loved him and his zest for life and memorable dry wit. Born in East Orange, NJ to Elwood, Sr and Grace Stagger Heerwagen on March 17, 1934 Woody was the eldest of three sons. Raised in Short Hills, NJ, he later lived in the home he and his late wife Dorothy built in Morris Township. In 1992 he and his wife Ruth moved to their "valhalla" overlooking his beloved White Meadow Lake. Woody was a 1951 graduate of Milburn High School where he excelled in academics and found his life calling through the Debate Club. He was also a member of the Cross Country team. Woody graduated from Rutgers College in New Brunswick in 1955 with a BA in political science. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Later he received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He had served as a Lawyer with the Judge Advocates Office with the US Navy. Later he worked in San Francisco, Ca. for four years as a lawyer before coming back to NJ where he worked with several prominent Essex and Morris County firms, before working privately in Morris County. Woody was a member of the California, Washington DC and New Jersey Bar. In 1998 Woody was given the "gift of life" through a cardiac transplant at Columbia-Presbyterian's Cardio-Transplantation Center in New York City. Appreciating his gift he participated in many activities to promote organ donor awareness including presentations to high school students, accepting a presentation from Rockaway Township Council recognizing DONOR AWARENESS MONTH and being part of the Transplant support group in Denville. To lift the memory of his precious 14 year old donor through the spirit of music, Mr. and Mrs. Heerwagen donated towards the rebuilding and renewal of their church's beautiful pipe organ. He was a member of the Denville Community Church where he taught Sunday school as he had done at Church of the Redeemer in Morristown, NJ. He was a member of the Rockaway Rotary Club where he had served as a past president and he was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow. Woody was a member of the Washington Association of Morristown, NJ as he had a great interest in Revolutionary War history especially pertaining to Washington's encampment in Morristown. He was an avid lover of trees and environmental issues and was a supporter of Morris County Conservation foundation. Family and friends will ever remember Woody's passionate devotion to his New York Jets Football team. A 45 year season ticket holder, Woody followed his team from the old Polo grounds to Meadowlands Stadium with loyalty and ardent fervor. Tail gates parties were a memorable event followed by memorable (and not so memorable) games. His love for sports also included his long time support of the St. Louis Cardinals. At 10 years old Woody watched his soon to be boyhood hero Stan Musial make a mark on baseball history that would stay with Woody forever. Woody also loved Rutger's Scarlett Knights football especially enjoying Homecoming reunions with his fellow Sig Ep brothers or fellow '55 classmates. He has served on the White Meadow Lake Board of Directors in Rockaway, NJ. Serving as Lake Chairman for many years, Woody used his interest in the environment to work with others on the Lake Reclamation committee to preserve the lake's beauty for future generations. Woody was a "rag sailor" in heart and spirit and enjoyed sailing immensely. He knew every knot and nautical term and was always willing to share this knowledge with anyone. A perfect day for Woody was a wind in his sail and sunshine on his face. He is survived by his beloved Ruth A. Heerwagen, his daughter Valerie A. Heerwagen of Morris Township, his son Christopher E. Heerwagen of Greenville, SC. He is also survived by Peter (brother) and Phyllis Heerwagen of Albany, NY, and Robert (brother) of Pittstown, NJ. In addition Woody is survived by his nephew and Godson Matthew Heerwagen and wife Jen and Great nephew Leif of Saratoga, NY as well as his niece and Goddaughter Elizabeth and husband James Guest and Great niece Charlotte Grace of Telluride, CO. His extended family also includes Louise and Bill Stafford (in-laws) of Snellville, Ga., Elizabeth Crook (in-law) of St. Mary's Ga and two nieces Mary Elizabeth Crook of Stone mountain, Ga and Emmy Louise Crook of Snellville, Ga. A candlelight Funeral service will be held on Tuesday evening Dec. 7, 2010 at 7:00 PM at the Denville Community Church, 190 Diamond Spring Rd. Denville, NJ. Friends may visit with the family on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM, at the Norman Dean Home for Services 16 Righter Ave. Denville, N J www.normandean.com. Please light a candle on our web site in memory of Woody. There will be a graveside service in Georgia where he will be buried at Friendship Cemetery in Snellville, Ga. Tom Wages Funeral Home in Snellville will handle arrangements. In lieu of flowers you are invited to make donations to a scholarship that has been created to honor his memory at Fair Lawn High School in Fair Lawn, NJ where his wife has taught for 20 years. Donations are being accepted to the Elwood Heerwagen Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o Diane Knudsen, at Fair Lawn High School 14-00 Berdan Ave. Fair Lawn, NJ 07410