Donald Charles Heim

Donald Charles Heim, 85, passed away at his home of over 45 years in West Hills, CA on July 24, 2026 due to cancer.
Don was born in Plymouth, Indiana on September 2nd 1940 to David and Ellen (Swanson) Heim. He grew up in a farm family and carried that work ethic with him throughout his life. He graduated from Plymouth High School with the class of 1958 and went on to attend Purdue University where he earned his degree in Physics as well as having played trumpet with the Air Force ROTC Band and a dance band organized by his dormitory.
He met his wife, Evelyn Doerr (also class of 1958), in their high school Science Club. They became inseparable and as he put it "I think we were meant for each other". They married during the summer before their senior year of college and would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this year on August 27th. After graduating, they both received job offers from Rocketdyne Division of North American Aviation in Canoga Park, California which they both accepted, Don as a test and instrumentation engineer and Evelyn as a material chemist. It was 1962 and the company was involved in the space program at a very exciting time. Projects included Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and later the Space Shuttle. Don was nominated for Engineer of the Year in 1982 and in the same year received a "Silver Snoopy" award given by the astronauts for outstanding performance in ensuring flight safety and mission success.
Don served as treasurer of their local First United Methodist Church for many years as well as helping to cook monthly meals for those in need. He organized a Rocketdyne retirees breakfast on a regular basis.
Don and Evelyn jointly received the Distinguished Alumnus Recognition bestowed by the Plymouth High School Alumni Association in 2013.
He lived a full life. He and Evelyn traveled to many places in the states and to other countries where they often connected with family and friends. He enjoyed camping with family, fishing (especially deep sea in the Pacific), hunting, photography, gardening, cooking, singing and playing the guitar and banjo, hiking, and working on family genealogy.
Survivors include: his wife, Evelyn, of nearly 65 years, daughters Deborah Heim-Waddill (Nathan) of Plymouth, Kathlyn O'Shea of Palmdale CA, Karen (Bryon) Zambello of Mason OH, grandchildren Lauren (Skyler) Adleta , Cameron Zambello, Sean (Tiffany) O'Shea, Kayla (Doug) Gragg, and great-grandchildren Wade, Molly, Quinn, and Joseph Adleta, and Hudson and Brantley O'Shea.
He is also survived by his brother Stephen Heim of Plymouth.
He was preceded in death by his parents David and Ellen (Swanson) Heim.
Services will be held at Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home on August 29th at 1pm. (1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, IN 46563). He will be laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery following the service.