Now many of us shall gather instead to remember him amid tearful farewells. He left us too soon, too suddenly. He loved life, cherished his family and friends, mentored countless Estonian youth through scouting, the New York Estonian School, through Korp Rotalia!, and more recently at Tartu University where he lectured.
He served ably as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, gave many years to the State of New Jersey as a Deputy Attorney General, and retired early to answer a call from the young Republic of Estonia.
A man who loved Estonian song and taught many of us the songs he loved to sing himself, his kindness and generosity left footprints on all our hearts. In spite of all he achieved before age 60, he found the greatest joy of all his life during the last decade of life, as a father to Hans, 9 and Erika Amanda, 8. There are no words to describe our loss. Friends who cannot join us Saturday are invited to donate in Heikki's remembrance to the Estonian Educational Society (243 E 34th St, Manhattan, NY 10016)for the continued good work of the children's school.
Hendrik Leesment
