Steven was killed in the USAir Flight 427 accident near Pittsburgh. Steven was 41 and a US Department of Energy Project Manager living in Mars, PA. His wife Joy died less than 2 years later of respiratory complications. They left two children who were raised by Steve’s brother Joseph who also had two children. Steve’s Mother Delores told us that Steve was an incredible developer of Clean Coal Projects and had been working on a project in Healy Alaska (near Denali NP). When Steve died, the Governor of Alaska sent a memorial book honoring him with such accolades as “…under Steve’s directive and utmost professionalism…Alaska’s dream for clean coal…is well recognized by the citizens of Alaska…who give their respect and gratitude…for Steve’s commitment and development…in spite of large bureaucracies… Steve played the piano beautifully. His two children are grown now and his son just moved into the home where Steve and Joy had lived when the children were born. The guest book at Dutilh Methodist Church in Cranberry was signed by 636 people.
Bob Ruda wrote: I became friends - rather than just acquaintances, with Steve Heintz in my senior year and for 2 or 3 years later. After graduation Steve would join up with us in the summer or when we were back from college or on break. Almost always the activity was trolling for girls. Steve and I were not real close - guys don't typically get that close, but he always struck me as being a sweet person. What I mean by that is that he was a good hearted person all the way down deep. Someone that cared for people in a true sense. I kind of felt that we were at times too rough and crass compared to him. Steve hadn't learned to put on the brave and macho face that well yet. By the end of my college time I had lost contact with Steve and all my other classmates as well.