Charles Alexander Heisterkamp, III, MD, (Colonel US Army, Ret.) passed away peacefully at home on August 18, 2012 surrounded by love. Born in Brooklyn, NY on February 23, 1933, he was the son of the late Charles and Arlene (Vogt) Heisterkamp of Westtown, PA and Denver, CO. He was preceded in death by his brother, David Vanderbilt Heisterkamp, M.D.
Charles was a proud graduate of Lower Merion Township High School, Swarthmore College (Mechanical Engineering), and the University of Pennsylvania Medical School. His medical training included an internship at the U.S. Army Tripler Hospital in Honolulu, HI, a surgical residency at University of Pennsylvania and a chief residency at Lancaster General Hospital.
Charles was a general and vascular surgeon as well as a consultant in Biomedical Engineering and the use of computers in medicine. For many years, he had a private medical practice on North Duke Street, collaborating first with his mentor and good friend, Dr. Harold K. Hogg.
A longtime member of the U.S. Army Medical Corps, he commanded the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Surgical Research Team at a mobile surgical and research hospital during the Vietnam War, and later established and directed the Biomedical Engineering Program in the Research and Development Command of the U.S. Surgeon-General, where he assisted in evolving national trauma treatment protocols. Charles served as Commander of the 103rd Medical Battalion of the 28th Infantry Division, headquartered at Stahr Armory.
He was a pioneer in the use of computers in medical offices, and worked with Dr. An Wang to customize software for doctors’ use . Charles introduced the first computerized doctor’s office in Lancaster. His advocacy of the use of computers in medicine led the Australian and Canadian governments to consult with him and ask him to lecture at Medical Society meetings.
A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, Charles was involved in many professional societies including as a delegate and officer of the Lancaster City and County Medical Society, the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Locally, he was the first chairman of the Emergency Medical Council in Lancaster County, and during his three years directed the training of over 300 ambulance personnel leading to one of the highest percentages and numbers of trained and registered EMTs in the state. Charles also served as Medical Commander of the Lancaster County Civil Defense during the Three Mile Island crisis. Driven to advance medical practices, he was instrumental in building the first ambulatory surgical center in Lancaster.
Charles contributed over 100 published articles and books in the fields of surgical techniques, bioengineering, ambulatory surgery, and computers and medical office applications.
Charles loved books and amassed a large and beautiful library of special editions. He also loved art and was a collector and patron, championing local artists. He was a perennial presence at First Fridays and gallery openings. A life-long photographer, he took special pleasure in documenting street scenes and in portraiture. He was an enthusiastic member of the Lancaster Camera Club. A history buff, he was also passionate about genealogy. Charles enjoyed working in his garden, and was an early proponent of organic gardening. Perhaps his most noted trait was his delight in giving presents. His family and friends referred to him as “The Goodie King!” He would make use of any occasion or event to provide gifts or “goodie bags” loaded with a variety of fun, fantastical and silly gatherings from his travels.
Charles is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Diane (Herman). He will also be missed by his children: Lisa Heisterkamp Davis of Arlington, MA, wife of Joshua; Laura Heisterkamp Scheff of Lancaster, wife of Neil; Charles Alexander Heisterkamp IV of West Chester, PA, husband of Valerie (LaFave); David August Heisterkamp of Lancaster; and Valerie Sachiko Smith of Lancaster, wife of R. Aril. His loving grandchildren are Peter August, Augusta Leland, Bennett Alexander, Samantha Marie, Dashiell Benson, Charles Ian, Isaac Wolf, Henry David, Olivia Giavanna, and Samuel Andre.
A memorial service and reception in celebration of Charles’s life will be held on Sunday, October 7th, 2012 at 2 pm at the Mulberry Art Studios, 21 North Mulberry St., Lancaster, PA 17603. There will be a private interment at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances in Charles’ memory may be made to Hospice and Community Care, 685 Good Drive, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604, hospiceandcommunitycare.org or to the Lancaster County Historical Society, 230 N. President Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603, lancasterhistory.org. To submit an on-line condolence visit: www.scheidfuneralhome.com
Andrew T. Scheid
Funeral Home
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Veterans Funeral Care
717-872-2266 / 397-8298
I am so sorry for your loss. I am a tenth generation Ferree and Dr. Heisterkamp helped me on many occasions with my geneology. My condolences. Bob Worrest, Germantown, MD
I can remember the stories of Dad running the M.A.S.H. unit and his orders of ’all bodies on the deck’ when mortar fire was coming in. Years later we could keep him home from the office or the hospital by turning on the T.V. with Hawkeye Pierce and Trapper John. The family was never out of the Army as Dad commanded the 103rd Medical Battalion of the 28th Infantry, the oldest National Guard Unit in U.S. history. He saved a lot of lives.
I just had to take a moment and say what a great man Dr. Heisterkamp was. As a neighbor, and good friend of my parents, he always had something interesting to say. Also, as his newspaper delivery boy for many years, I always had to his paper there before 8 am, and he usually always came out and just to say hello. I will also remember his kindness as he let us swim in his pool on those hot summer nights. As a teenager, one of my biggest highlights, was beating him in a game of chess (just once out of a few matches)… at one of my parents holiday gatherings. His knowledge and kindness will be missed on Pine Dr. My condolences to Mrs. H, and all his wonderful kids.
RIP… Dr. H