Bob Heiny of Greeley, a fixture on the Colorado golf scene for many years, passed away late last month — July 24 — at age 74.
Almost annually, Heiny qualified for and competed on the CGA’s senior amateur teams that played the Colorado PGA professionals in the Colorado Cup matches. In fact, he made the CGA senior Colorado Cup team 15 times from 1992 through 2008.
And Bob and son Erik were one of the most successful teams in the history of the CGA Father/Son (now known as the CGA Parent/Child). The Heinys won the event three times (1989, ’91 and ’92). Only Gary and Alex Kephart (four-time champions) have claimed the title more.
Bob Heiny also won more than 10 club championship at Highland Hills Golf Course in Greeley.
Earlier in life, Heiny played both golf and basketball at Colorado College. While at CC, he won two conference titles and qualified twice for the NCAA tournament.
Heiny, who earned degrees over the years from Grand Junction High School, Mesa College, Colorado College and Colorado State University, spent his 48-year career teaching at the University of Northern Colorado, serving as a professor of mathematical sciences.
While at UNC, Heiny served as NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative for 23 years and was the interim athletic director in 2004. The school inducted him into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 2009.
This week, UNC announced it will honor Heiny during the 2016-17 athletic season. As Heiny was a big fan of wearing shorts regardless of the weather, all UNC coaches will wear shorts during the first regular-season home contest for each sport. And game-day staff also will don shorts during UNC’s football opener on Sept. 3 in Greeley. Also, UNC created an honor, the Dr. Bob Heiny’s Bear Pride Award, which will be given annually to the person who has made the greatest impact on UNC student-athletes.
In the wake of Heiny’s passing, donations may be made to the UNC Foundation-Bob Heiny Memorial or to TRU Hospice of Northern Colorado in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 702 13th St., Greeley, CO 80631.
