Classmates, Friends and Family of Dr. David D. Heavner '78

Dr. David Douglas Heavner was born in Cumberland Maryland on July 1, 1956, the first of four sons of Douglas B. Heavner and Sarah B. Heavner.
David was, as a child, an excellent student at Northeast Elementary School, while also being an outstanding athlete. He was an All Star in the Dapper Dan Little League, and was always playing football, basketball, and baseball with his friends and brothers on the fields and court at his home in the country. He enjoyed fishing in the local streams and lakes and hunting within walking distance of the house, being considered a crack shot. While never professing to be a musician, Dave played the trombone in the school bands until his freshman year at Fort Hill, after which he turned his attention towards football and baseball, eventually calling the defensive signals his senior year on an undefeated Sentinel team. While at Fort Hill, Dave continued his academic excellence, eventually sharing the Donohue Award as the school’s outstanding student athlete. It was during this time Dave forged several friendships that would last throughout his lifetime.
After graduating from Fort Hill, Dave (affectionately known as ‘Lobes’ to his close friends) attended Frostburg State College, completing a dual major in Chemistry and Biology. While at Frostburg State Dave was a proud member of the “Townies” and always was a team captain in pick-up football skirmishes. He was also a skillful and savvy card player, and was known for his meticulous, microscopic note taking.
Dave’s fine undergraduate education prepared him for his next endeavor – a career in Optometry. Dave was accepted to the highly regarded Optometry program at the University of Houston, and completed the program – graduating in 1983 with a Doctor of Optometry Degree.
Dave began his professional journey in Florence, KY, moved to Dallas, TX, then managed several offices in the Washington/Baltimore area. He got married in 1986 and had a daughter in 1993. He and his wife Stacy, and daughter Megan, settled in St. Mary’s County, Maryland where Dave practiced for 14 years. One of Dave’s favorite things to do was watch his daughter Megan perform in operas at Peabody Conservatory where she pursued her bachelors and master’s degrees. Dave also became an avid golfer and was well known for his “Tidbits” golf tips that he gathered and studied in his quest to become a scratch golfer. Dave was a founding father of the Dudes Golf Boondoggle, founded in 1999 and still going strong today.
Dave’s family, friends and patients were the world to him. He forged many lifelong friendships that would last for the rest of his years.