We mourn the passing of our beloved friend, mentor, community advocate and longtime board member E. Bruce Heilman.
Dr. Heilman, former president of the University of Richmond and current Chancellor, died peacefully in his sleep early Sunday morning, October 20. He was a giant among men and will be missed. He was 93 years young, full of energy, smiles and, in the truest definition of the word, AMAZING stories.
Dr. Heilman was deeply connected to the Robins family, first as steward of the $50 million gift by E. Claiborne Robins to the University of Richmond in 1969 and later as close family friend, confidant, wise counsel and partner.
“From the time I walked onto the University of Richmond campus as an 18-year-old freshman to our personal correspondence just a few weeks ago, Dr. Heilman’s warmth has enveloped me and my family. He was a lovely, supportive and engaging man. I will miss him” shared Robins Foundation Board Chair Juliet Shield-Taylor.
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- Bruce Heilman with E. Claiborne Robins
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- E. Bruce Heilman
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- E. Bruce Heilman at the University of Richmond
Along with our friends at the University of Richmond and throughout the country, we offer our sincerest condolences to his family and their many, many friends.
His memorial service will take place Sunday, October 27, at 2 p.m. in Cannon Memorial Chapel on the campus of the University of Richmond, and his ashes will be interred in the University’s columbarium alongside those of his wife, Betty Dobbins Heilman, who died in 2013.