Russell Howard Heddendorf

Beloved Sociology Professor At Covenant College

posted December 30, 2008

Russell Howard Heddendorf died suddenly on Wednesday, December 24, 2008, in Philadelphia, PA.

He was born on June 11, 1930 on Long Island, NY, and graduated from Queens College in New York City. He received his Ph.D. in sociology after graduate study at Columbia University and the University of Pittsburgh. Following his U. S. Army service in Korea and Japan during the Korean War, Russ married Eleanor Pearce in 1954.

Russ devoted much of his life to teaching, with appointments at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA; Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA; and Covenant College on Lookout Mountain, GA. Countless students remember his love of sociology and teaching, and his dedication to integrating sociology and the Christian faith.

In addition to founding the Association of Christians Teaching Sociology, he was the author of two books and numerous journal articles. He retired from Covenant College in 2000, remaining active in teaching and writing.

Most recently, he taught part-time at Oxford Graduate School in Dayton, TN.

His first wife, Ellie, died on Lookout Mountain in 1991. Russ married Harriet Dunning Parsons in 1992.

Russ had a love of travel and exploring the world. He enjoyed camping with Ellie and their children and with Harriet made a number of visits to Europe. He was devoted to preserving a connection with his relatives in the Alsace region of France.

Russ played tennis and was a lifelong Dodgers baseball fan. He sang in several church choirs, worked diligently on his yard, and was proficient in the theory and practice of humor. He was a member of Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church, and with Harriet enjoyed the ministry of Rivermont Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, TN where he taught Sunday School and led a men's Bible study.

Russell Heddendorf is survived by his wife, Harriet; his son, David and wife, Susan; daughter, Ruth Ann Leduc and husband, Norm; his sister, Marion Dahl; grandchildren, Ellen, Daniel, Nathan and Elizabeth; numerous nephews and nieces; stepdaughters, Debbi and Lois; stepson, Jim; and stepgrandchildren, Jeremy, Brittany, Joshua, John, Cole and Ben.

A memorial service will be held at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church at 11:30 a.m. on Friday. Private burial will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, at the Heddendorf home and 10-11:30 a.m. on Friday, at the church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church World Missions Fund.