John Gerard Heiderstadt

John Heiderstadt of Mustang, Oklahoma passed away August 22, 2024 at the age of 63. 

John, the eldest son of John E. and Margaret E. Heiderstadt, was born in Ridgewood, NY, and at the age of six months moved with his parents and older sister to Farmingdale, NY, on Long Island, where he spent his childhood. He attended Holy Family High School in Huntington, NY, excelling at cross-country track and lacrosse, while spending winter weekends leading tours to ski resorts in the Catskill Mountains and summers golfing with his dad and uncles and surfing the breaks at Long Island’s south shore beaches with his friends.

After high school, John enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, the Pacific Northwest’s premier naval aviation installation. During his four-year enlistment, he received an education in advanced electronics systems, notably EA6B Electronic Warfare Systems, and deployed overseas on two aircraft carriers of the era, the USS Forrestal and USS Kitty Hawk. 

Following his honorable discharge as a Petty Officer 3rd Class E-4 in 1984, John began his professional career as a Systems Engineer at Parker Hannifin Corp. on Long Island, where he specialized in the design and integration of flight inspection avionic systems, test engineering, and systems training. In 1996, he moved with his wife, Pamela, and five children to Oklahoma City, OK, to accept a position as an Aerospace Systems Consultant for DataCom Sciences, Inc. From 2004 to 2011, he served as Vice President Operations at NXT Inc., an international aerospace company specializing in airborne signal collection and Flight Inspection Systems. He subsequently worked as Director of Program Management at Long Wave Inc., Integration Manager at Commuter Air Technology, and Director Engineering/Chief Engineer at Meta Special Aerospace, all based in Oklahoma City. More recently, John had parlayed his technical expertise in global programs, systems development, and strategic planning into a successful role as a consultant to several international clients.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, John was dedicated to his family. As a father of five and grandfather of four, he loved sharing his passion for the great outdoors, especially camping, hunting, fishing, golfing, and skiing. He was a skilled and dedicated hunter and instilled a love of deer and upland bird hunting in his three sons — and an appreciation for wild game in anyone who tried his venison sausage. John also took great pride in his spaghetti and meatballs and loved to host barbecue gatherings at his home in Mustang, OK, most notably on the 4th of July. His latest passion was a vintage yellow Triumph convertible that he drove with the top down and classic rock blaring, something he did the day before his passing.

It was in the role of grandfather, however, that John shined brightest. He was gentle, nurturing, patient, and eager to teach the youngest members of the Heiderstadt family the hobbies and skills that his own father had taught him. He delighted in having his pre-school-age grandsons follow him around and you could see the joy on his face when he held his infant granddaughters. He was incredibly proud of his family and his love for them knew no bounds. 

John was preceded in death by his parents, John and Margaret Heiderstadt.

John is survived by his sister, Donna, and his brothers Steven (Susan) and Michael (Caroline); his five children, John (Tiffany Struthers), Nicholas (Yana), Jessica (Colby Moore), Zachary (Keely Johnson), and Rebecca Bedwell (Hayden); his four grandchildren, Archer Struthers, Alexander, Raycee, and Viktoria; and six nieces and nephews, Ashley, Ryan, Zoe, Andrew, Amelie, and Lindsay. He also leaves behind his former wife of 40 years Pamela, and his companion, Tamara Purdy. John will be greatly missed by all who loved him.