Walden Leo Heino, 87, of Grand Rapids, Mich., died Jan. 29, 2018.

Heino was born April 13, 1930, in Eveleth, Minn. He served in the United States Army in the Philippines as a survey-team mathematician and demolitions expert from 1947 to 1949.

He earned a chemistry degree from Itasca Junior College in 1951 and a PhD in chemistry from the University of Minnesota in 1957. Heino married Harriet I. (Nelson) Alsen on June 21, 1953, in Coleraine, Minn. (they later divorced), and the couple had two children, Mark and Lynne.

Heino worked as a research chemist for Du Pont and Company from 1957 to 1963, living in New York and Delaware during this time. He then taught inorganic chemistry at Luther from 1964 to 1992.

Heino retired to Grand Rapids, Mich., where he spent his remaining years. He enjoyed fishing, reading, nature, radio, animals, chemistry, contributing to charities, and spending time with his family and friends. He will be remembered for his quick wit, intelligence, quiet grace, sense of humor, and strength.

Heino was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Susie Reid; nephew Gary Paul Reid; stepson Bernard Alsen; son-in-law, Tom Gigliotti. He is survived by his son, Mark Heino ‘77 (Lynn (Luren) Heino ‘79) of Carroll, Iowa; daughter, Lynne Gigliotti of Grand Rapids, Minn.; five grandchildren; two great grandsons; and numerous other relatives.