Obituary of Michael H. Heppler

Michael H. Heppler, 82, a longtime resident of Tucson passed away July 13, 2023.  Born in Detroit and moved to Phoenix in 1957, Mike was a direct descendent of George Boone, brother of Daniel Boone. 

He became interested in photography and was a photographer for his high school newspaper and yearbook.  As a teen, his interest in photography took him backstage in the late 50’s and early 60’s where he took celebrity photographs of performers such as Ray Charles, Bobby Darin, Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon, Johnny Cash, Dick Clark and many others.  He also had a friendship with guitarist Duane Eddy. 

Mike attended Grand Canyon College and worked for GE/Honeywell and Maricopa County in Phoenix as a programmer/systems analyst.  Mike and his wife Ronda (who preceded him in death) were married in 1978 and shortly thereafter moved to Tehran, Iran where Mike worked as a programmer for Lockheed Aircraft.  From there they moved to Belgium then to Munich, Germany.  They lived in Heidelberg, Germany from 1984 – 97 when he transferred to Fort Huachuca, AZ. 

After his retirement from the Department of Defense, he began devoting his time to his photography again.  Mike’s love of Tucson and the Southwest were very evident in his beautiful works.  See them at ww.desertphotography.com.

He is preceded in death by his parents, J. C. and Evelyn Heppler and his brother Jerry.  He is survived by his nephews Vince, Michael and Bruce Heppler, of Phoenix, cousin Robin Heppler-Seay, his dog Max, loving friend Pat Roberts and step children Jim, Jeri’ and Janet.  A Celebration of Life will be held on September 15, 2023 at 10:30 am at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 8051 E Broadway Blvd, Tucson.