Ilmar Heinaru

Ilmar Heinaru was born in Tallinn, Estonia, and lived there until 1944 when the Soviet army invaded his homeland. For the next five years, Ilmar lived in a Displaced Persons camp in Germany and attended Baltic University, until immigrating to the United States. He married Eva (Evi) Eerme in 1950 and moved to Detroit, MI. Ilmar became a U.S. citizen in 1954 and was the Chairman of the Baltic Nations Committee of Detroit. He worked a variety of jobs, attended night school, and completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science at the University of Michigan. Ilmar was appointed Director of the Nationalities Division of the Republican State Central Committee of Michigan after volunteering for George Romney’s campaign as a coordinator of ethnic groups. He was appointed Special Assistant to Governor George Romney in 1964 and Special Assistant to U.S. Senator Robert Griffin in 1968. After working as the National Director, Nationalities Division, for the Nixon-Agnew presidential campaign, Ilmar and his family moved to McLean, VA, in 1970 and he began a career with the Department of State. He worked in the Office of Public Affairs until his retirement in 1988. He and Eva then moved to Front Royal, VA, where he enjoyed gardening, entertaining, and watching his grandchildren grow.

Ilmar was predeceased by his wife of 67 years and his son, Peter. Ilmar is survived by his daughter, Linda, her husband, Tom, two grandsons and their wives, and six great-grandchildren. He will be remembered as a man of great kindness and integrity, an ultimate gentleman.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Estonian-American Fund (eafund.org) at P.O. Box 7369, Silver Spring MD 20907-7369.

Arrangements by Flora Funeral Service and Cremation Center, Rocky Mount/Smith Mountain Lake