Courtesy of USF St. Petersburg
The death of longtime educator Bill Heller brought tributes from around the campus and community.
Pictured Above: USF President Steve Currall.
‘He will be greatly missed’
“The entire University of South Florida community mourns the loss of Bill Heller, a longtime tireless advocate for our St. Petersburg campus. Through his years of dedicated public service, Bill made many significant contributions and he leaves a lasting impact on the university, the city of St. Petersburg and the Tampa Bay region. We are proud that future generations will continue to be reminded of his legacy as they enter H. William Heller Hall, a building where he taught that was renamed in his honor last year. He will be greatly missed.”
Pictured Above: Regional Chancellor Martin Tadlock.
‘A natural born friend of people’
When I came to be Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Bill was Dean of College of Education at USFSP, and he answered to me. We worked together closely on the expansion on the Bishop Center of Ethical Leadership.
“He was the kind of person that was a natural born friend of people. He cared about people first, above everything else, he always wanted to do the right thing for students. Whenever we had a conversation, the question Bill always asked was ‘How is this going to affect students?’”
Pictured Above: Pinellas County Commissioner Charlie Justice.
‘Simply heartbroken’
“I’m simply heartbroken today. Bill was a great boss, mentor, friend, role model. He cared so deeply for people, for the community. He was the most genuinely kind man I’ve ever known.”
Pictured Above: Longtime university staff member Joan “Sudsy” Tschiderer.
‘His positivity was relentless and inspiring’
“He’s the champion and hero to so many of us. The longest serving chief of our campus, you’d be hard-pressed to find a human being who had a kinder, more compassionate heart, coupled with kindness and thoughtfulness at every turn.
“Bill and his wife were like teenage sweethearts, and while Bill was the face of the couple — the two of them were inseparable. Jeanne is his legacy… she is so much a part of him that it cannot be forgotten.
“He could always find a way to be upbeat, his positivity was relentless and inspiring.
“Bill would come and visit the people who worked on facilities services at night so they would not feel that they were excluded from the campus community… when they would speak to me about Bill coming to visit them, it always struck me how much it meant to them. He always wanted to make everyone feel as included as they could in the campus community.
“He really wanted the community to know that we were there for them, and they were there for us – that it was a symbiotic relationship that benefited both of us.
“Bill deeply loved students and cared deeply for their welfare and their success. I know many times he served as a mentor, or a person of last resort, in order to go above and beyond for students. He deeply cared that his students would have opportunities and grow. It wasn’t just words with Bill, he wanted to make students’ lives better.”
Pictured Above: St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman (with Heller in 2006).
‘A sad day for St. Petersburg’
“Today is a sad day for St. Petersburg and the countless lives touched by the Honorable Dr. Bill Heller. In his capacity as an educator, elected official, leader on numerous boards and committees, philanthropist, and friend to all, he made our community – every single person he met – better, kinder, and smarter. He was a son of the midwest, but his sunny disposition and values very much personified St. Pete.
“On a personal note, I consider myself fortunate to have campaigned alongside Bill in 2006, serve in the Florida Legislature with him, and have a front row seat to his advocacy for all Floridians, especially the most vulnerable.
“On behalf of the more than 270,000 people who call St. Pete home, my sincerest condolences to the family of Dr. Bill Heller, including and especially his equally amazing wife Jeanne. While we will sorely miss Bill, we will take comfort in knowing a better life was never lived.
“Finally, in honor of Dr. Bill Heller’s extraordinary contributions to the Sunshine City, I am directing all flags to be flown at half-staff on City of St. Petersburg property through Saturday, September 19th, 2020.”
Pictured Above: Longtime university staff member Pearl Williamson.
‘One of the warmest, caring campus leaders that I had the occasion to serve’
“I worked as Executive Assistant to Dr. Heller, affectionately known to me as ‘Bill’ for ten years. He was one of the warmest, (most) caring campus leaders that I had the occasion to serve, and I was on that campus for 38 years and served a total of ten full-time and/or interim leaders.
“He positively represented the campus with city leaders, but was never too busy to stop and recognize the students whether in passing or in his office because the student had an issue he or she wished to discuss with him. If I were privy to a commitment he made to faculty, staff or student, I needed only to remind him and it would be done.
“We had many highlights — including the relocating of the historic homes to campus in the wee hours of the winter with hot chocolate to warm (our) freezing hands — but one of the greatest was winning the office of State Representative in 2006.
“He and I bonded in the desire to be the best that we could be for and on behalf of USF St. Petersburg. I shall miss him and will always refer to him as ‘my friend.’”
Pictured Above: Former regional chancellor Sophia Wisniewska.
‘He was truly a rare find’
“Bill Heller was a mensch! His influence on the University of South Florida St. Petersburg community and those of us who were lucky enough to know him will endure to time’s far horizon.
“Bill leaves us with many legacies. I suspect the greatest will be his students whom he taught and mentored. But one of his greatest legacies is also on all of the faculty and staff whom he supported. By his actions, Bill taught me about civility, kindness, optimism, resilience, and courage. He was truly a rare find. I hope we will always remember Bill and his compassionate heart with joy and happiness.”
Pictured Above: G. Michael Killenberg, professor emeritus of journalism.
‘Smart, tough and nobody’s fool’
“Bill Heller was the Happy Warrior of USF St. Petersburg. He worked tirelessly and always with good humor to achieve recognition and independence for a place he loved at first sight. People sometimes underestimated him because he never pretended to be anything but a decent guy who grew up on a farm in rural Illinois. But he was smart, tough, and nobody’s fool. He stood up to USF Tampa officials, particularly its formidable president, Judy Genshaft. After he spearheaded legislation in 2001 to create a freestanding, separately accredited USF St. Petersburg, the campus blossomed with admission of first-year students, an influx of talented faculty, on-campus housing and expanded academic programs, including mine, the Department of Journalism and Media Studies.
When he was hired in 1992 as campus dean, the entire faculty could sit around one large conference table outside his office. The campus then was essentially a night school of transfer students and upperclassmen, most of whom held full-time jobs by day and strived toward degrees by night. Bill embraced the campus and the campus quickly embraced him. Who wouldn’t? He was warm, humble, supportive and accessible. If he wasn’t mingling with students, running a staff meeting or attending a civic event, you could walk into his office and plop down for chitchat, advice or a favor—provided you got by his devoted administrative assistant, Pearl Williams. She protected Bill like a mama bear protects her cubs because she knew he couldn’t say no and would give of himself without reservation.
I believe his love of the campus cost him his job. Genshaft never approved of USFSP autonomy and in 2002, a year after the campus celebrated its newfound freedom, Bill stepped down without damning Genshaft. He said his departure was a difference of opinion over the future of the campus. His public response represented the gentleman in him.
Bill frequently used the word “special” to describe the campus, its people and its attributes. That was because of his academic and personal background in special education. Now, with his passing, the word special has even greater meaning. Bill Heller was a special leader and USF St. Petersburg became a special place largely because of him.”
Pictured Above: Darryl Paulson, professor emeritus of government.
‘One of the most kind and thoughtful mentors’
“Bill was one of the most kind and thoughtful mentors to me over the years, and truly made a positive difference for the Bayboro campus. There are few people I could point to and say, ‘This was a great person.’ Bill was a decent person who made a difference in the lives of so many students, faculty and the community.”
Pictured Above: Jerry Notaro, a librarian emeritus.
‘He was the right leader at the right time’
“How lucky we were the day Bill Heller arrived in St. Petersburg and on our campus. He was the right leader at the right time and took us to community and academic heights we had longed for. Bill asked a lot from us, but never more than he asked of himself. He made community connections that never even seemed possible for one person, let alone a brand new campus Dean. Bill was everywhere, all the time. How could you ever say no to Bill, you couldn’t. If he wanted you to sing Holiday Carols at the campus party, how could you say no to someone who showed up as Santa Claus with gifts for everyone. On a personal note, Bill made me a better librarian and a better person. When we founded St. Pete Pride in 2005, a very small gathering that first year, Bill was there marching down Central Avenue when very few public officials would. We will never forget Bill for that, but that was the kind of man he was.”
LaSonya Moore, assistant professor of education.
‘A legendary leader in a league of his own’
“My heart remains heavy; there remains no amount of words that I can use to describe Dr. Bill Heller; my instructor, my mentor, my colleague, my friend, and my Change Agent for more than 20 years. In my heart, I remain honored to have known Bill; a legendary leader in a league of his own”.
Sophie Ojdanic and Nancy McCann contributed to this report.
Bill Heller’s leadership and personality was a gift to the St. Petersburg Campus that changed the ambiance of the Campus during his tenure. He inspired the spirit of the faculty and students to where learning became a passion, where community leaders and careers were formed and the importance of life friendships were respected and valued. In other words he gave his heart to the campus, the community and the City of St. Petersburg. His imprint will be felt for many years to come.
Bill was one of the kindest, energetic and dedicated individuals I have had come into my life. He made me reach high and made me better person. He left wonderful memories.
Bill Heller was my first mentor at USFSP, a cherished friend, a profound inspiration. His dedication and passion for education was so contagious, I was motivated to earn my Ph.D. in Education! Bill supported my journey, as he supported everyone he worked with. I am so grateful to be able to be a part of the legacy he left.
My heart was so heavy when I heard this news. I knew Bill had not been in good health but somehow I thought there would always be Bill Heller. He was the kindest, most ethical and most generous leader I have ever encountered in government or higher ed. The world is a dimmer place without him in it. Rest in Power, Friend. You earned it.