HEGGIE, Dr. Robert PhD. Born January 19,1909, Glasgow, Scotland. Died May 26, 2007. A resident of the Palm Beaches since 1970, formerly of Boston, Ma. and Garden City, Long Island, NY. A PhD. Organic Chemist graduate of MIT, he taught at MIT before going into industry. One of his students was the famous Robert Woodward who later won a Nobel Prize.
He was employed first by American Chicle Co., as a researcher which caused him to be assigned to the South Pacific and Southeast Asia just before the Second World War. He rose to the position of Vice President and head of Research and Development. He was responsible for the development of Rolaids and Certs which are two of his more widely known accomplishments.
When American Chicle merged with Warner Lambert Pharmaceuticals he became Vice President of Proprietary Products.
After retirement, Robert and his wife Florence traveled the world, living for several months at a time in exotic places such as South Korea, Spain, Egypt, Japan and several South American countries to name a few. During these stays he consulted with local companies sharing his extensive knowledge of organic chemistry in gum bases, flavors, candy and assisted in obtaining modern equipment from the USA.
An avid golfer, he always took his clubs on his travels and played many of the most prestigious courses in the world.
He was politically active in the early development of South Palm Beach advocating for and succeeding in passing several changes to zoning and other ordinances. He also served as Vice Mayor.
In 1993 he was proud to be named Citizen of the Year in South Palm Beach.
He is survived by his wife Florence Theresa Heggie and his daughters Patricia Heggie Festino of Palm Beach, FL. and Frances Jean Unrine of Greenwich CT. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He is and will be sorely missed by all who knew him well.
A Funeral Service for Dr. Heggie will be held from the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St. WEST ROXBURY on Saturday June 2, 2007 at 11:30AM. Interment in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury.
He was employed first by American Chicle Co., as a researcher which caused him to be assigned to the South Pacific and Southeast Asia just before the Second World War. He rose to the position of Vice President and head of Research and Development. He was responsible for the development of Rolaids and Certs which are two of his more widely known accomplishments.
When American Chicle merged with Warner Lambert Pharmaceuticals he became Vice President of Proprietary Products.
After retirement, Robert and his wife Florence traveled the world, living for several months at a time in exotic places such as South Korea, Spain, Egypt, Japan and several South American countries to name a few. During these stays he consulted with local companies sharing his extensive knowledge of organic chemistry in gum bases, flavors, candy and assisted in obtaining modern equipment from the USA.
An avid golfer, he always took his clubs on his travels and played many of the most prestigious courses in the world.
He was politically active in the early development of South Palm Beach advocating for and succeeding in passing several changes to zoning and other ordinances. He also served as Vice Mayor.
In 1993 he was proud to be named Citizen of the Year in South Palm Beach.
He is survived by his wife Florence Theresa Heggie and his daughters Patricia Heggie Festino of Palm Beach, FL. and Frances Jean Unrine of Greenwich CT. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. He is and will be sorely missed by all who knew him well.
A Funeral Service for Dr. Heggie will be held from the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre St. WEST ROXBURY on Saturday June 2, 2007 at 11:30AM. Interment in St. Joseph Cemetery, West Roxbury.
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