Robert A. Heiden passed away Friday, September 8, 2006, at his home in Lompoc. He was 83 years of age.

Bob was born August 3, 1923, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Carl and Lydia Heiden. When he finished high school he went to work with the Civilian Conservation Corps. With the outbreak of WWII he joined the United States Army Air Corps and served in the European theatre. During the Korean War he was stationed in Japan. He retired from his military service with the rank of sergeant first class.

Bob was employed briefly by Lockheed at Vandenberg Air Force Base and was later hired as a corrections officer at the Federal Correction Institute in Lompoc, from which he retired after 14 years. Bob was a member of the American Legion and a life member of the Elks Lodge #2274 in Lompoc.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife Virginia Allain Heiden in 1967. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Marty Lawlor of Rio Rancho, New Mexico; son, William Heiden of Los Angeles; son and daughter-in-law, John and Jeri Heiden of Los Angeles; sisters Jeanne Farrell of Spokane, WA, and Janet Schmidt of Milwaukee, WI; brother James Heiden; two grandchildren, Carrie Brunner and Kevin Ostrowski; and two great-grandchildren, Riley and Andrew Brunner. He was also preceded in death by his brothers William Heiden in 2006 and Walter Heiden in 1991.

Cremation will be followed by private inurnment in the Lompoc District Cemetery. The arrangements are under the direction of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary.