Obituaries
Dr. Philip T. Heesen, 97
March 7, 1926 - March 23, 2023
Dr. Philip T. Heesen, 97, of Lancaster, died Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the Mennonite Home, Lancaster.
Born March 7, 1926, in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Paul and Adeline (O’Donnell) Heesen.
A graduate of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia, Class of 1943, he went on to earn his B.A. in Philosophy from St. Charles Seminary, his M.A. in English from Villanova University, and his Ph.D. in Classical Studies from the University of Pennsylvania.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict during the years 1951-1954.
Philip married the love of his life, Jane Wagner, June 14, 1952.
Dr. Heesen enjoyed a lifelong love of teaching. His career began in 1949 when he taught Latin and Greek at his alma mater, St. Joseph’s Prep School. Over the next nearly-two decades he taught at Millville High School in NJ, Hatboro-Horsham High School, and Cheltenham High School in Philadelphia. In 1967, he moved from the Philadelphia area to Lancaster, PA, where he became professor of Latin and Greek Studies at Millersville University until the time of his retirement in 1988.
In 1970 Dr. Heesen established a graduate Classical Language program at Millersville that enabled Latin teachers to earn a master’s degree in five summers. One of the highlights of his teaching career was taking his graduate students to Italy in the summer of 1977. He and his students left no waking hours empty of a learning experience that these teachers would be able to share with their own Latin students.
After his retirement in 1988, Philip participated in the home-schooling of several of his grandchildren who lived close by for almost twenty years. He taught them Latin and Greek studies and prepared them for Advanced Placement tests.
Philip was a charter member of St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Millersville, PA. A devout Catholic, he welcomed prayer, faith, and the Church in his life at all stages. With his beloved wife, Jane, Philip served as a teacher in the C.C.D. program, as well as the Pennsylvanians for Human Life, and the Serra Club for Vocations. For many years, he served his parish as a Eucharistic Minister. He also served the Diocese of Harrisburg as an assessor in the annulment process.
During his retirement, Philip enjoyed woodworking and traveling with Jane throughout the United States and Europe.
His greatest love was spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his wife of 62 years, the former Jane E. Wagner; his siblings: Paul Heesen, Donald Heesen, Vincent Heesen, Adeline Heesen Cooper, and Rosemary Heesen; and two grandchildren: Laura M. Dietrich and Michael P. Goresh, III.
Surviving are his six children: Jane H. Knapp and her husband, Samuel, of Sunnyvale, CA; Philip T. Heesen, Jr. and his wife, Cindy Cargas, of Richmond, VA; Donna H. Hanlon and her husband, Raymond, of Portersville, PA; Gregory H. Heesen and his wife, Margaret, of Lancaster, PA; Jerome P. Heesen and his wife, Jennifer, of Charleston, SC; and Rosemary A. Goresh and her husband, Michael, of Berwick, PA; 18 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
A viewing will be held Tuesday, March 28, 2023, from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. at St. Philip the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, 2111 Millersville Pike, Lancaster, PA 17603 with the Rev. Lawrence W. Sherdel as Celebrant.
Interment will be in St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery, Bausman.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church at the above address,
St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church
or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place. Memphis, TN 38105.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Leave a condolence on this Memorial Page
Condolences to the Family
August 03, 2023
So sorry to hear of Uncle Phil’s passing. What a joy to be with on our visits with Mom Teddy and Aunt Pat! What a smart and loving man he was! May he rest in Christ’s eternal peace. With our deepest sympathy, love, and prayers, Peter and Emilie Heesen
May 21, 2023
I studied classical Greek with Dr. Heesen from 1979-1980. His breath of knowledge regarding the transitions of words from Latin and Greek was simply amazing. His respect for his students was immense. I was impressed with his gentle demeanor with us as we worked through our studies.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to know Dr. Heesen. My condolences go out to the Heesen as well as my prayers for the resurrection to eternal life.
George Minick
May 17, 2023
To the members of the Heesen family,
I know I’m amost two months late with this condolence note, but I just found out today that Dr. Heesen has passed. I am so very sorry to have found that out. When I didn’t get a Christmas card from him this past Christmas, I thought something might have happened. He was so good including little notes in his Christmas cards.
I was a member of that famous Graduate Latin School in Millersville’s summer Language institute. My first year was as an undergraduate in the summer of 1975, and I continued on until the summer of 1980, when I graduated. My Latin background had fallen into a bit of a rut by my Junior year in college, in 1975. I had had two teachers, one in high school and the other in college. High School was o.k., but my college experience was lacking. I was hoping that by going to Millersville I could revive some of my interest in Latin and Greek.
I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Heesen or Millersville. The whole experience was exhilerating, and it did revive my interest. In fact, it was the best experience I’ve ever had in an academic setting. We had interesting classes, the other students were lots of fun, and I learned how to teach Latin from Dr. Heesen. I not only learned Latin but I learned how to teach Latin. We even went to Rome in the summer of 1978. What an experience!
I wish I could have gotten to his funeral. Dr. Heesen’s life was a life well lived. I am privileged to have been one of his students. I am privileged to have gotten to know him.
In Christ,
Bill Geiger
March 28, 2023
To All of You Family Members of Phil and Jane,
I can picture them together in love. My memories of your dad and of your mother are wonderful from our times working together on church events. Gracious, gentle, loving and kind-hearted in every way describe them. It has been years since we spoke and only through my own fault. I last saw your dad faithfully attending Mass. You are blessed to have them both as your parents, grandparents and great grandparents. May you always reflect their love as you continue to live your lives without their earthly presence.
Peace and love to you all,
Jo Anne Farley
March 28, 2023
I just saw this. Me H taught me Latin at Hatboro High School. Because of this, I always did very well in many languages. He quietly got the teaching accomplished.
Mary Dunlap
March 26, 2023
What a blessing Dr Heesen was to me. With much patience, he tutored and mentored me through 36 credits in Latin so that I could be certified to teach it in a very rewarding career change. His sharing of his wealth of knowledge was inspiring to me. RIP, Dr Heesen
March 26, 2023
Just saw the announcement in this morning’s paper, Phil. Offering my condolences to you and the entire family…I distinctly remember your Dad’s involvement with St. Philip’s, in my years, there, as lector and church organist.
May your Dad forever rest in Paradise, Phil.
Mike O’Day
- Visitation
- Tuesday, March 28, 2023
- 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- St. Philip The Apostle Catholic Church
- 2111 Millersville Pime
- Lanacster, PA 17603
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- Tuesday, March 28, 2023
- 11:00 AM
- St. Philip The Apostle Catholic Church
- 2111 Millersville Pike
- Lancaster, PA 17603
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