Monroe "Monty" Heitleband

Monroe Heitleband, our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather left this world on Friday, May 25th to be in the love, grace, mercy, joy, peace, and presence of our heavenly Father for eternity. Born in Manhattan, New York,  Monroe grew up in NYC, where he graduated from high school and attended college to pursue a  pre-medicine curriculum. When called to duty, Monroe served honorably and bravely in the United States Army Medical Corps during  the Korean War. He loved G-d, his family, and his country.   Monroe's love of life was his ability to provide service to others, and to inspire everyone around him to meet their full potential. He was a quiet, reserved, peaceful soul. His generosity brought great joy and comfort to everyone he met.  Monroe worked tirelessly his entire life, and at an exhausting pace to ensure that his family lacked for nothing, and he did so with a joyful heart without complaining. Monroe loved learning, reading, hiking,  cycling, watching sports, fishing, spending time with his family, tinkering around the house, working on cars, music, dancing with his wife, and singing.  He absolutely loved to enjoy the majestic landscape of New Mexico after his retirement.

   The source of Monroe's strength during his entire life was his deep and profound faith which was demonstrated by his lifelong habit of having in his possession—at all times for over 70 years -—a prayer book given to him by the Armed Forces of the United States at the commencement of his service during the Korean War. This precious book served as a  constant reminder to him that through the darkest and brightest times, his  Lord was working in, around, and through him.  Perhaps his greatest gift to humanity was the inspiration his deep profound faith instilled in everyone he encountered during the worst suffering he ever experienced during his final year on earth.  He humbly and gracefully accepted the burden placed upon his body by a debilitating condition, and he never  surrendered his unshakable faith—t rusting completely that G-d would sustain him as he patiently waited for G-d to  protect and sustain him, and eventually call him to his eternal home.

   Monroe, who was preceded in death by his daughter, is survived by his wife of 58 years, his children, his grandchildren, and his great grandchildren  to carry on his spirit and precious legacy through the rest of their lives. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

   Monroe was laid to rest at Vista Verde Memorial Park, Sara Road,  Rio Rancho on Wednesday,  May 30th, with the compassionate care and comfort of the Daniels Family Funeral Services, Sara Chapel staff. in Rio Rancho, NM.