HELLER, Dr. Lane M. – Age 89, of London, died on March 2, 2019 at University Hospital. Lane was born in Champagne, Illinois on Sept 10, 1929, the son of the late C. Max and Gladys E. (Nee Murchison) Heller. He was the beloved husband of Helen (Geiger) Heller, his wife of 61 years.
Growing up in Wisconsin, Lane enjoyed swimming, sailing and ice boating. He had many adventures, including skate sailing across a frozen Lake Mendota. After graduating with a BA in French from the University of Wisconsin (1951), he was drafted and spent 2 years as a translator for the Allied Occupation Forces in Heidelberg Germany (1951-1953). On his return, he completed his MA in French, and went on to spend 2 years in France on a Fulbright scholarship. In Paris, he met Helen at a gathering to welcome foreign graduate students, and they married 7 months later.
Having completed his PhD in French, the couple moved to Pullman, Washington, where Lane worked as a professor at Washington State University and first daughter Elizabeth was born. The family then moved to London, Ontario where Lane worked as a Professor of French at the University of Western Ontario from 1960 until his retirement in 1995. Daughters Barbara and Emily were born in London.
A man of many interests and talents, Lane enjoyed swimming, boating and other outdoor activities. He earned his way through college playing the trombone in dance bands. He was passionate about early music, particularly Francois Couperin. A skilled woodworker, he made baroque flutes as a hobby and also constructed a harpsichord, virginal and clavichord. Above all, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter Elizabeth Page and husband David of Winchester, Massachusetts; daughter Emily Andrews and husband David of Hamilton, Ontario; grandchildren Charlotte, Julia, Lucy, Miranda, Claire and Arthur. He was predeceased by brothers Jay and Kyle, and daughter Barbara Clews.
Visitation on Friday from 7-8:30 pm at Harris Funeral Home, 220 St. James St. at Richmond. A funeral service will be conducted at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, 280 St. James St. at Wellington on Saturday, March 9 at 11 a.m., followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Church of St. John the Evangelist Music Endowment Fund.