Obituary of Ronald W. Heilmann

Ronald W. Heilmann, of Syracuse NY, born on May 11th, 1946 passed away on December 1st 2023.

Ron was a respected Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Syracuse since 1981, specializing in divorce mediation. As a founding member and past president of the New York State Council on Divorce Mediation, he facilitated over 800 amicable divorces. Ron also co-founded the Children 1st Program, providing vital information to over 4,000 parents on protecting children during parental separation. As a leading figure in this field, he was a guest lecturer at Syracuse University, published in the Family and Conciliation Courts Review, and co-authored the book LOVEWORKS: Coming to Terms with Intimacy and Equality. Ron’s legacy includes decades of support for families and valuable contributions to the field of mediation and mental health.

A faithful custodian of the cherished and historical home of Ephriam Webster, he found great joy in caring for the property, making maple syrup from its trees, tending a bountiful garden, exploring Europe where his children and grandchildren live and hosting many social occasions together with beloved family and friends. Engagement in his musical community was a genuine expression of the joys he found in so many of life’s uncomplicated pleasures too numerous to mention.

He is survived by us, his loving family: wife Jennifer Simmonds, children Nathan Heilmann and Ashley Renlund, their spouses Katka Heilmann and Peter Renlund and grandchildren Evelina and Eliaš Heilmann and Adrian and Oliver Renlund. While our hearts ache with profound sadness at his early departure, we are grateful for the time we had with him considering his long-term health conditions. We feel very fortunate that he was able to have a full and active life for so many of those years. Until the last three weeks of his life he was active in his profession, his hobbies and in his family.

Ronald Heilmann's memorial service will be held during the summer of 2024 at the Heilmann Family residence next to Webster's Pond in Syracuse N.Y. We encourage you to use the following link to a form to connect to the family and receive the memorial service details: https://forms.gle/fWxMXcrNgyzxkKG29

In lieu of flowers, we kindly request donations towards a memorial site at Webster's Pond where Ron can continue to offer a space for reflection and comfort to all who seek it. Further details and information on how to contribute can be found here: https://gofund.me/8f9c4ff2

Please use this link to see photos and contribute to a memory wall for condolences and to share your thoughts about Ron and his life: https://memorialsource.com/memorial/ronald-w-heilmann