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Elbert was my second dad. There are so many memories from the year I spent in the family.
When I arrived, pretty soon he taught me how to milk the cows.
He thought me how to run all the machinery on the farm.
We hauled hay and corn.
We went to church camps and family retreats.
He took us on spelunking in the caves that he explored long before, in the wonderful Mustang. I never forget when we had to stop in the middle of the road to fix the exhaust with some steel wire.
We drove to Canada over Xmas and then via KC, directly to Colorado for skiing.
He took a whole bunch of people to Currant river for canoeing. Another amazing trip.
He made everything seem so easy with his wonderful view on life and mankind. There never was any problems (except when I misbehaved....)
He was an amazing man, always positive and wise.
I learned so much from Elbert and one of the things I remember and often use is the poems of Rober Frost, that he used to read to me.
The poem I remember the most, and I read it to my son, is “The road not chosen”. It has helped me many times in my decisions in life and I cherish those moments that we had.
Despite the fact that I haven’t been back for a long time, I think about those days and the way Elbert welcomed me, almost every day.
The world lost a great and loving person.
Till we meet again
All my love.
Henrik (plasma) Bergstrom

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I have been blessed with many wonderful uncles but Uncle Elbert was at the top of that list.  Living in Canada, opportunity to visit was infrequent but  every visit was full of fun and good times.  Always, he listened. His ability to really listen and focus on what was troubling you along with his great wisdom and faith blessed me many times in my life. He was a gifted natural teacher with the ability to share a lesson in multiple ways helped make sense of physics for me. I  loved his Missouri drawl.  I remember him telling me about a traffic ticket he received that he objected to and used physics to explain why the trajectory of the speed detector could have been wrong.  I believe he got out of that ticket.  He loved to tease me with his mischievous sense of humour. He could have been British with that dry humour he possessed.   His spirit filled prayers were  humble and beautiful. I loved how he and Aunt Joyce could work so well together, complementing  ministry each with their own giftedness. Every time of think of him, I smile, fond memories flood to the surface and I know I have been richly blessed to have had Uncle Elbert as part of my life.  Vonda DenBoer Corunna Ontario

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I have been blessed with many wonderful uncles but Uncle Elbert was at the top of that list.  Living in Canada, opportunity to visit was infrequent but  every visit was full of fun and good times.  Always, he listened. His ability to really listen and focus on what was troubling you along with his great wisdom and faith blessed me many times in my life. He was a gifted natural teacher with the ability to share a lesson in multiple ways helped make sense of physics for me. I  loved his Missouri drawl.  I remember him telling me about a traffic ticket he received that he objected to and used physics to explain why the trajectory of the speed detector could have been wrong.  I believe he got out of that ticket.  He loved to tease me with his mischievous sense of humour. He could have been British with that dry humour he possessed.   His spirit filled prayers were  humble and beautiful. I loved how he and Aunt Joyce could work so well together, complementing  ministry each with their own giftedness. Every time of think of him, I smile, fond memories flood to the surface and I know I have been richly blessed to have had Uncle Elbert as part of my life.  Vonda DenBoer Corunna Ontario

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Like most other serious science students at Raytown High School and like everybody else in the Cave Club, I became very good friends with Elbert Heath, and this friendship continued well after high school.  At some point while I was in college, I think, I joined him one weekend day to help him with several tasks at his parents’ farm in Oak Grove, putting up hay, cutting firewood and other intellectual tasks of that ilk.  While driving there, we came around a curve which for a brief instant, caused Elbert to look directly into the sun. Then he immediately sneezed.  This observation provoked a debate concerning whether that flash of sunlight was the direct cause of his sneeze.  Things like involuntary lacrimal discharge, interconnected nasal sinuses etc. This debate lasted for something like 10 miles.  When we arrived at the farm, Joyce emerged from the house carrying their newest child, Heather, who was just an infant then, something around 19 inches (0.48 meters) tall at the time.  Well, Joyce handed Heather to Elbert, an act that happened to expose Heather to a flash of direct sunlight.  She immediately sneezed, a tiny but significant achooo.  Both Elbert and I regarded that event as empirical verification that exposure to direct sunlight can indeed cause people to sneeze, thus promptly resolving our earlier debate.  This event also established that by then I had fully internalized Elbert’s high school lessons about the scientific method.

Richard Wurdack
Carnation, Washington

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The physical science department of Raytown High School was composed of myself and Elbert from 1960 to 1968.  In April of 1968, he informed me he would not renew his contract, and we went our separate ways, but I always had great memories of our time together.  Some of my many memories include: the stockroom, where we had our desks, was named the “Morgue”.  In the Morgue, I always brewed my coffee; Elbert was not a coffee drinker, but on days when he beat me to work, he always had the water heated for me.  This was the kind and caring man he was.  During our teaching tenure, our families would occasionally break bread together.  We, my wife and 18 month old son, kept Mike and Doug so Elbert and Joyce could Christmas shop. Elbert also allowed me to use his table saw to cut up blocks of scrap wood obtained from the shop at Raytown High. Both my sons and grandchildren all played with those blocks.  Together, we shared our thoughts and improved our teaching skills.Elbert started his teaching at Raytown South Junior High; I admired how he maintained such a strong bond between himself and his students. I got the pleasure of seeing that bond when the students transferred to us before Raytown South High School opened.  The first couple of years that we taught together he was always trying to get me to join the Cave Club as a sponsor.  Finally, I told him that I had my share of living outdoors due to my experiences as a Korean War soldier:  breaking camp in four feet of snow, changing socks in  -60 degrees in North Korea  to avoid frost bite, and much more, “Elbert, thanks but no thanks,” I plan to camp in ideal conditions.I never recall meeting Heather, unless I saw her on the farm when I visited.  I did meet Jon, whom Elbert told me he is my name sake, except with the French spelling.  Joyce was raised in the French part of Canada.Elbert, I can say, was a true man, 100% to his family, friends, and fellow workers. Most of all, he knew God, and those of us who knew him, got to know something of God.  He finished his race well. [See Second Timothy 4:6-7. ] 

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The physical science department of Raytown High School was composed of myself and Elbert from 1960 to 1968.  In April of 1968, he informed me he would not renew his contract, and we went our separate ways, but I always had great memories of our time together.  Some of my many memories include: the stockroom, where we had our desks, was named the “Morgue”.  In the Morgue, I always brewed my coffee; Elbert was not a coffee drinker, but on days when he beat me to work, he always had the water heated for me.  This was the kind and caring man he was.  During our teaching tenure, our families would occasionally break bread together.  We, my wife and 18 month old son, kept Mike and Doug so Elbert and Joyce could Christmas shop. Elbert also allowed me to use his table saw to cut up blocks of scrap wood obtained from the shop at Raytown High. Both my sons and grandchildren all played with those blocks.  Together, we shared our thoughts and improved our teaching skills.Elbert started his teaching at Raytown South Junior High; I admired how he maintained such a strong bond between himself and his students. I got the pleasure of seeing that bond when the students transferred to us before Raytown South High School opened.  The first couple of years that we taught together he was always trying to get me to join the Cave Club as a sponsor.  Finally, I told him that I had my share of living outdoors due to my experiences as a Korean War soldier:  breaking camp in four feet of snow, changing socks in  -60 degrees in North Korea  to avoid frost bite, and much more, “Elbert, thanks but no thanks,” I plan to camp in ideal conditions.I never recall meeting Heather, unless I saw her on the farm when I visited.  I did meet Jon, whom Elbert told me he is my name sake, except with the French spelling.  Joyce was raised in the French part of Canada.Elbert, I can say, was a true man, 100% to his family, friends, and fellow workers. Most of all, he knew God, and those of us who knew him, got to know something of God.  He finished his race well. [See Second Timothy 4:6-7. ] 

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John Atkins

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As a Raytown High School Class of '63 member, I was lucky to be an early member of the Cave Club as well as taking Physics with Mr. Heath- the discipline that became my college major.
To add some detail about Cave Club, this was not an hour meeting after class type of activity. This was either a day long or 2 day trip 8 or 9 times a year with up to 15 teenagers plus recruited parent drivers- a major commitment of personal time by Elbert. The result was outdoor leadership experience and teamwork that had lifelong impact both in academic endeavors and strong personal relationships that exist today and continue with remarkable durability.  When we see each other we uniformly reflect on the value we received from the support and influence of our sponsor and mentor, Elbert Heath.
A particular memory of mine is Elbert showing me an item of art on the wall of his home, painted by a student. At a glance, it appeared to be a black like night with two light spots like fireflies. Further study revealed a cave scene with two people quite a distance away wearing miners' hardhats with headlights. Progressively, added cave features could be identified- a lovely reminder of special experiences and some interesting metaphors.
Roy Jared, MD
Denver, CO

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Elbert Heath has been my biggest hero forever.  I was lucky enough to land in his General Science class at Raytown South Jr. High School in the 1958-59 school year, which I think was his first year as a teacher.  And in my final year of high school, 1962-63, it was my great privilege to take his course in Physics.  Throughout this whole four years, he took me and friends on cave trips and canoe trips in the Ozarks.  This group became formalized as the Raytown High School Cave Club that he cosponsored with a faculty colleague.  During this period, he became my academic mentor, and he led his colleagues in keeping me continuously excited about anything to do with science.  This excitement, and the considerable knowledge I acquired from him and his colleagues, led me to follow the academic path myself from which I retired after spending 36 years as a professor of marine biology and theoretical ecology, mostly at UCLA.  Through that period, I experienced many very good teachers, but to this day I consider Elbert Heath’s teaching and companionship as the main driving forces for my choice of this wonderful profession.

A personality feature that made his teaching and companionship so compelling is that he seamlessly fused science with his personal life, which generated much enthusiasm.  I particularly remember two stories he told us in General Science.  He understood the subject matter of that class inside out, of course, and he could explain it a crystal clear manner in not many words.  So not infrequently he was able to finish a day’s lesson early, and with no loss in student understanding.  Sometimes he would then launch into personal stories from his past.

One concerned a so-called 20-mile “run-walk” he had to complete in his army basic training.  This event took place during a hot, humid summer day while he had to wear his full uniform and carry his full complement of battle gear, rifle included.  So some 12 or 13 miles in, he became exhausted and decided to stop for a rest. The next thing he knew an hour had passed, and a conversation between two passing drill instructor types brought him back to consciousness.  Fortunately, he had the presence of mind to continue to “sleep”.  One drill instructor said to the other, “This guy stinks.  Do you think he’s dead?”  The other replied, “Maybe.  That would be good for the army because then they wouldn’t have to feed his carcass tonight!”  When they had passed far enough away, Elbert thought he’d better get it done pronto, and he arrived for dinner just fine!

Another wonderful story concerned his wedding.  I don’t remember all the details now, but what follows preserves its essence.  Elbert was in Missouri, I think with farming responsibilities or something, and Joyce was in Canada where the wedding was to take place.  So Elbert kept working until he had only just enough time to drive up there before the wedding.  He was moving along just fine on regular two-lane highways (before even the idea of freeways with their safety-inspired landscaping had seriously taken hold).  Meanwhile, it turned out that two young people, a boyfriend and girlfriend in separate cars, had had a painful argument not long before, and the girlfriend had fled the scene.  The distraught boyfriend later thought he’d better find her and apologize.  Well, he did find her, and just over the crest of a hill, they stopped, leaving their two cars on the road and stepped to the roadside to conduct their happy reunion.  Just then, Elbert arrived at the crest of the hill doing some 50 or 60 mph and of course couldn’t stop immediately and plowed into those two cars, fortunately with no injuries.  Elbert, of course, was happy that the couple had resolved their problems, but by the time the smoke had cleared, the cops had taken all necessary photos and separate testimonials from all three people, and the cars had been towed and his car rendered drivable again, much time had passed.  Nobody had cell phones then, of course, and calling Joyce from way out in the country somewhere was just not possible.  So the upshot was that Elbert showed up many (10 or 20?) hours after the whole wedding party and guests had left the church.  This story had us students all on the edge of our seats, but unfortunately right then the school bell announced the end of the class period, and we never did hear the rest of the story.  But evidently Joyce accepted his explanation and apology, the wedding took place a little later than planned, and as they say, the rest is history.

All of Elbert Heath’s students loved him for his very human way of teaching what could have been a bone dry subject for many of them.  He exerted a big influence on many students, and I think that I am probably just one of many for whom Elbert’s teaching and companionship were seriously life-altering, and indeed greatly life-enriching.  I feel blessed to have fallen into his sphere of influence, and I will take my many fond memories of him to my own grave.

Rick Vance

Altadena, California

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Amazing friend
I met Mr.Heath when my husband was a student of his at Penn Valley.  We forged a friendship that lasted over 40 years that included canoe trips, working on cars, trips to his farm and so many fun times together.  One of our favorite memories is visiting Mr. Heath and Joyes home in Hawaii. Each morning had a special beginning with prayer by Mr. Heath and a special story he had written.  Joyce would prepare fresh fruit and we'd set up a.plan to see something special on the island.  They were wonderful hosts and shared many of their friends and unique places on the island.  I do not think Mr. Heath ever met a stranger or thought bad of any one he met.  The world has indeed been a better place because Mr. Heath was part of our lives and our children's lives.  We were blessed to have him as a friend.  Leonard and Dixie Smiglewski & family

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I will miss Uncle Elbert terribly. At various times in my life he filled the role of a mentor, a brother, a father; and always a source of quiet strength. Between us we could share all of our thoughts, fears, desires, and heartaches. How can one replace such a confidant? Elbert provided a perspective to me that still guilds my life; specifically the allegory found in the Parable of the sower, found in Matthew 13:18. He helped me to better understand that the present moment was only a portion of time, and that much (if not most) of what we experience is part of an unseen “growing cycle”. As the sower cast his seeds, so too, does life and the Holy Spirit. Some seeds will not produce, and yet others will. In time, we become as the sower and cast our seeds into the lives of others. Knowledge, love, humility, servitude, are but a few of the seeds we can cast into the lives of those around us. Together we sow and nurture unseen seeds of live and love. Elbert’s deepest desire was that the Holy Spirit would take root into the lives of everyone he met.

During Cindy’s last visit with Uncle Elbert, he insisted that she deliver something to me. It arrived without explanation, but none was needed.

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As my mom grew up in the Oak Grove congregation, I heard stories about Elbert and his incredible ministry long before I ever got to meet him. Elbert was a minister for my family over many years and through stages of life. The last time I saw Elbert, I had the chance to sit down and share lunch with him. He was already losing some of his memories at that time, and did not know was, but he happily shared his opinions on church and stories from his life. Truly a kind, spiritual man, who loved to tell a story. I wish blessings of comfort on his family, Wendy Eaton

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We attended the Oak Grove congregation with Heaths for several years. I always considered Elbert a deeply spiritual leader of the congregation and drew on his wealth of experience and knowledge to guide me when I was pastor. The Heath family has been a blessing to many. Our prayers are with you.--Diane Maupin

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I grew up going to church with the Heath family and Mike and I graduated together in the OGHS class of 1973.  I adored both Elbert and Joyce! They were Zioneers leaders for a number of years and I remember many gatherings at the Heath farm, where we were always warmly welcomed. One memorable outing was a field trip Elbert planned to explore a cave (don't recall where!) and camp overnight. I'm not sure how he tolerated a half dozen teenaged girls AND boys for the weekend but he did. He was so knowledgeable and we learned a lot. All of us had so much respect for him that we'd never dream of misbehaving. We admired his faith and his spiritual guidance as well. His influence helped shape us and has remained with me all of my life. As an adult, I learned he also had a great sense of humor!  I always enjoyed laughing with him and listening to the great stories he had to tell. I feel blessed to have known and loved Elbert. The world will be a little less bright without him. With my heartfelt sympathy, Cindy (Morrison) Frantsen

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Whether we rode across Kansas in the back of the pickup or in a burning RV, our ski trips were wonderful and filled with friends, family and fellowship. 😄

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Found and identified  wonderful wildlife With dad including hermit crabs, a baby shark and a Portuguese man-o-war.