Henry O. Heiser, III, Esquire

It is with deep sadness that the family of Attorney Henry O. Heiser, III, of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, announces his peaceful passing on July 12, 2025. Henry was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on February 23, 1942, to Henry O. Heiser, Jr. and Viola M. Heiser. He was raised in Williamsport, PA, and attended Williamsport High School where he was a varsity wrestler, member of the Student Council and the golf team. Henry then attended The Pennsylvania State University at University Park, PA. While there he served as president of Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity and vice president of the Interfraternity Council. In addition, he was an avid fan of both the Nittany Lion football and wrestling teams, spending much of his free time in Rec Hall and Beaver Stadium. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1964, as well as his officer’s commission in the United States Army.

Henry then attended The Dickinson School of Law where he excelled in his studies and was inducted into The Woolsack Society, an honor given to those seniors who have earned a rank in the top 15% of their class. Henry also received 3 American Jurisprudence Prizes for receiving the highest grade in Pennsylvania Practice from the Honorable Dale F. Shughart whom he admired greatly, Conveyances and Administrative Law.

He deferred the private practice of law until he completed his obligation to the U.S. Army. He began active service by attending Officer Training at Fort Eustis, VA, receiving a Letter of Commendation from the Office of the Commandant of the U.S. Army Transportation School for finishing with the highest academic average in his class. During active duty he served as a Captain at the U.S. Army Electronics Command in Philadelphia, PA, and in the Vietnam War theater in Bangkok, Thailand. He was honored for his service to his country when he received a U.S. Army Commendation Medal for his work on negotiating government contracts thereby saving the U.S. government significant amounts of money.

It was only when he returned from his tour in Thailand that Henry was able to seek the place where he would practice law. Since he was a history enthusiast and had always loved the town of Gettysburg, he sent his resume to the Bar Association of Adams County. After visiting attorneys Donald Swope and Murray Frazee he gratefully accepted an offer to join the Swope & Frazee firm at 104 Baltimore Street, the same address at which he continued to practice for over 50 years. Over the course of his career, Henry represented important administrative offices at the Adams County Court House, a significant number of Adams County municipalities and many valued business and individual clients. He often told those clients, his family, and friends that he loved what he did and cared deeply about the needs of the clients he represented. In addition, he was involved in the community in diverse ways as he served on regional and local bank boards, was a past chair of the United Way of Adams County, a trustee at the Gettysburg Presbyterian Church and a youth baseball coach. Upon reflection after his retirement, he said he could not have asked for a more fulfilling career or a better place to live, work and raise children.

He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Carol; his son, Scott and his wife Wendy of Skillman, NJ, and his daughter, Kim and her husband Paul of Edina, MN. Henry was also blessed with 6 grandchildren, Ryan, Morgan, Nicole, Luke, Matt and Annie whom he cherished. His family will remember him as a loving husband, father and grandfather, and many in the community will recall him as a well-respected attorney, a champion for his clients, and a proud American and veteran.

A Celebration of Henry’s Life will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to a favorite charity. Online obituary and condolences available at monahanfuneralhome.com.