George F. Heimerdinger

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with great sorrow the death of former employee and volunteer George F. Heimerdinger on April 13, 2024. He was 86.

George was born on November 30, 1937, in Chicago, Illinois, to George L. and Lydia (Butz) Heimerdinger. He grew up in Illinois.

After graduating from college, George was in the Army and stationed in Washington, DC. He worked as an oceanographer for 40 years for the National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) in Washington, DC. In 1974, he moved to Falmouth as the New England liaison for NODC. George retired from NODC in 2000 and then worked in the Physical Oceanography Department as a NODC/NOAA Liaison. In 2005 he became a research assistant in the Biology Department and left in 2010. After retiring a second time, George became a WHOI volunteer and enjoyed leading tours for visitors as well as volunteered in the Seafloor Samples Laboratory for many years.

His favorite activities were fly fishing, kayaking, cycling, gardening, and being with his family.

George is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sally Heimerdinger; his son Matthew and his wife Yoko of Yokohama, Japan; his daughter Julie and her husband Matthew Scott of Andover, MA; his three wonderful grandsons, Joshua Heimerdinger and Aaron and Ethan Scott; and his brothers Richard and Paul.

A family gathering to celebrate George’s life will be held at a later date. Burial is private.