Melissa K. and Robert A. Heydenreich Fund
Susan Heydenreich established this fund with contributions from family, friends, and the Pine Hall Lutheran Church in memory of her daughter, Melissa, and husband, Robert. Susan and Robert met while attending college at Wittenberg University in Ohio. In 1966, they moved to State College when Robert became the pastor of Pine Hall and Gatesburg Lutheran churches, following in the footsteps of seven generations of Lutheran ministers before him. He then earned a master's degree from Penn State. Robert was active on campus with the SCASD's Dream Team and with his congregations - leading the fundraising efforts to move the 95-year-old Pine Hall Church building 30 feet for the Route 26 road expansion. At home, he was an avid gardener, hunter, car lover, and "paw paw." Their daughter, Melissa, was active in 4-H at an early age. She graduated from SCASD and Penn State, later earning her law degree from William & Mary. Melissa worked for the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, D.C., where she met her husband, J.D. Marple. She routinely returned home and stayed active as a board member of the Mount Nittany Conservancy. Visits home were always greeted with delight by her sister, Lizzie, who was left mentally handicapped after an early childhood bout with cancer. This fund honors Robert and Melissa's memories, their passions, and Lizzie. The Melissa K. and Robert A. Heydenreich Fund supports two efforts. The first is the Melissa K. Heydenreich Scholarship for a SCASD senior who, like Melissa, has shown unusual enthusiasm and dedication to his or her academic pursuits. The second effort alternates distribution by year, supporting the Arc of Centre County one year and then organizations/programs that promote and foster conservation of natural resources the next year.
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Melissa K. and Robert A. Heydenreich Fund

Honoring lives dedicated to education, conservation, and family