In memory of a friend lost In January of 2021, alumnus Mike
such an impact on his life and to
themselves through college at that
honor the memory of his friend. “I
time, so it wasn’t uncommon, but I
Hill lost a good friend and college
wanted to do something lasting in
never heard Kerry complain about
roommate, Kerry Heintz, who was
his memory.”
his situation.” The Hills explained that
just 63 years old. In his memory, Mike
Mike and Heintz met the first week of
for Heintz, his education was self-
and his wife Tamra founded the Kerry
Mike’s freshman year at Idaho State
driven: “Kerry went to college on his
P. Heintz Memorial Scholarship.
in 1977. The pair started as neighbors
own motivation. He was determined
“I’ve been very fortunate in my life,”
in the Garrison Hall dormitory and
to get a degree and he worked hard
said Mike, who retired two years
later became roommates. “School
to earn it.” Heintz’s effort resulted
ago from IBM, where he worked
didn’t come easy to Kerry; he
in completing his degree in four
as a sales manager among other
worked very hard to get his degree.”
years and graduating with over a
positions for 28 years. “I’ve always
According to Mike, Heintz’s earnings
3.0 GPA with a Bachelor of Business
felt like my education held up well
from summer employment plus
Administration in marketing. Heintz
over the course of my career.” Mike
working over Christmas break had
then spent most of his career working
explained that he and Tamra have
to last him the entire school year.
for Farmers Insurance as the Auto/
been very supportive of the College
“He was completely self-supported.
Fire Underwriting Supervisor for 29
throughout the years, but wanted
I remember the second semester of
years while raising two children with
to do something more. “My time
his senior year, after he had paid for
his wife, Connie.
at Idaho State was very formative
his room and board and books and
“We wanted this scholarship to
to my personal development and
fees, he had three dollars left and
honor the legacy of my friend whose
started me on a path to a successful
those three dollars had to last him
education was a result of his hard
career,” said Mike. “I have many great
the rest of the semester.”
work”, explained Mike. “Completing
memories of my years there.” Mike
“Kerry really sacrificed a lot,” said
his degree put him on a path to do
explained that the idea of endowing
Tamra. “He was truly what you
(continued)
a scholarship came to him as a way
would consider a poor college
to support the University that made
student. Many of our friends put
Photo 1: Kerry Heintz (right) with Tamra Hill; Photo 2: Kerry’s graduation; Photo 3: Kerry with his two kids; Photo 4: Kerry Heintz
