Kevin Patrick Heller, the loving son of David and Theresa Heller, was born April 4, 1961 in White Plains, NY. Growing up in Rye, NY, Kevin graduated from Archbishop Stepinac High School, where, besides being inducted into the National Honor Society, he excelled in swimming, football, and softball. Due to his excellent preparatory work, Kevin received Richard Ottinger’s congressional appointment and joined the Class of 1983. After plebe year, Kevin was lucky enough to be assigned as a C-4 “Cowboy,” rising to the rank of cadet captain. Kevin was an outstanding swimmer all four years as well as a member of the Dialectic Society in his precious spare time.

To most of his classmates Kevin was bold, gregarious, and outgoing. It did not hurt their chances when their our wingman looked like a GQ cover. In fact, before there was Maxim magazine, there was Kevin Heller’s photo album. It was something to see. Kevin was a guy who loved out loud with the speakers turned up to 10. He was a larger-than-life kind of person who treated everyone in the same positive and accepting way. What you saw is what you got with Kevin, and it was all good.

Nearly every classmate echoes the same sentiment: “I am a better person for having known Kevin.” Rex Adams perfectly summed up his classmates’ feelings: “Every time I saw Kevin at a reunion, not having spoken to him in the last five years, Kevin always treated me like I was his long, lost best friend at West Point. The Bible says, ‘Truly, whatever you did for one of the least of your brothers and sisters, you did for me.”

It was no secret where Kevin got his mojo, his parents. Kevin’s classmates remember Mr. and Mrs. Heller, plenty of food, tailgates, and never a dull weekend at their house surrounded by the warmth of their love. Mark Ayers’ story typifies the Heller’s generosity: “My most cherished memories of Kevin are the times we spent at his home with his family during our cadet years. As an Army brat, my family was spread across the country, so spending weekends with Kevin and his family is what got me through West Point.”

Eric Sine remembers driving out of West Point for the last time. Kevin was driving in the opposite direction, and Eric just had to stop him. Picture these two knuckleheads in the middle of the road with their cars running and blocking traffic. Eric said, “Man, I don’t know when I’ll ever see you again,” they broke down emotionally and hugged.

Kevin branched Armor and, after a short stint as a swim coach at the USMA Prep School, was initially assigned in 1984 to the 5-32nd Armor Regiment at Fort Stewart, GA, followed by Headquarters Victory Brigade at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, GA. In 1988 Kevin followed his Army service with a stellar sales career with various companies: Nalco Chemical, Baxter Healthcare, Vignette, Greenplum, Oracle, Looker, and Google.

It was during his sales career that Kevin first spotted Lesley at a conference and commented to Mark Connors that she was the most beautiful woman that he had ever seen—love at first sight. While wrapping up, Kevin walked over to her, “borrowed” 36 red roses from a nearby booth, and suggested that they have dinner. While clearly Kevin’s best day, it was Mark’s worst, as Kevin dropped everything and moved cross country to be near her.

Alas, Kevin married the love of his life, Lesley Ann Smith of Cincinnati, OH, on September 12, 1998, and as anyone who knew them would expect the Hellers quickly became active members of their church and the Menlo Park, CA community. Kevin and Lesley’s daughter, Lauren, currently attends California Lutheran University, and their son Michael has been accepted to attend the United States Naval Academy.

Regrettably, in 2019, Kevin was diagnosed with ALS. As with every challenge, Kevin faced it head-on. Kevin started Team #GiveEmHeller and raised the most funds in the 15-year history of the Napa Valley Ride to Defeat ALS. Kevin lived life large right up until his last fighting breath. What a great example to leave this world with dignity helping others with ALS.

Jim Schless remembers visiting Kevin in 2020: “We both knew that was our last visit with each other. Sully, Dog, and I talk of this day; we are thankful we could sit, visit, talk, and reminisce. The hug and cry we had was wonderful. We got to say goodbye, say, ‘I love ya,’ and be at peace.”

As was God’s plan, Kevin died peacefully in his sleep on January 5, 2021. Just prior, with his family by his side, Kevin typed his very last words: “Go Army! Beat Navy! Go Navy! Beat Everyone Else!” He never let things get him down. He showed us his love and strength every day, and, in the end, Kevin Heller did beat ALS.

“Kevin free-styled his way from Rye into Cowboy legend as an excellent athlete and super friend. With a golden tongue, there was never a man quicker with the line: Who loves you, Baby?”

— Howitzer 1983.

“I always felt that I was a better person and a better leader as a result of the time I spent with Kevin. To say that he was an inspiration was an understatement. He was truly one of a kind.”

— Jeff Snow ’83

“This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

— Psalm 118:24