Franz Heigemeir, 88, of Rifton

Franz Heigemeir, 88, of Rifton, N.Y., died suddenly on Monday, Sept. 10, 2018, at HealthAlliance Hospital of Kingston, N.Y.

Born Jan. 3, 1930, in Stuttgart, Germany, he was the son of the late Franz and Rosa Heigemeir. Upon coming to the United States, Franz served in the U.S. Army from 1954 through 1956. He was a graduate of the Kunstschule Augsburg, Germany, and was a renowned local artist, calligrapher, and graphic designer, who exhibited extensively in the Hudson Valley and beyond, including at the National Academy of Design (NYC), the Harvard Law Library, the Woodstock Artists Association and Museum, and the Uptown Gallery of Kingston. He taught calligraphy and graphic design at numerous colleges in the area, and designed and built his own home. He was a lifetime member of the Woodstock Art Association, and a member of the Art Society of Kingston. He was the recipient of many awards, including the Sidney Laufman Award and the Yasuo Kuniyoshi Award. He was also a longtime member of the Kingston Maennerchor und Damenchor.

Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Marianne Rima (Korn), and two sons, Stephen and Raymond. He is also survived by siblings Egon Heigemeir, Martina Bock, and Leonhard Heigemeir, and numerous nieces and nephews in Germany. He is also survived by his beloved cat, Noodles.

Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of Keyser Funeral Home, 216 Broadway, Port Ewen, N.Y., where a memorial visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018, from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Town of Esopus Rescue Squad, Catskill Animal Sanctuary, Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, or the Ulster County SPCA. To leave an expression of sympathy, please visit www.KeyserFuneralService.com.