Gary Heit
March 15, 1956-Feb. 14, 2023
LA HONDA, California
GARY HEIT PH.D., M.D.
Gary Heit passed away February 14th. His last days were spent in communion with the natural sights and sounds of his beloved Mindego Hill in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Gary was born the fourth out of five children and raised in Silver Lake, Ca. His parents instilled in their children the value of arts, education and cultural diversity. These family values afforded Gary an eclectic group of friends he valued throughout life.
Singularly he could be found exploring the world through his microscope or designing explosive experiments earning him the family title "Joe Scientist". Though science was his passion Gary loved being immersed in nature. He hiked and camped throughout Californias varied landscapes throwing many a birthday celebration in Big Sur.
Upon graduating from Area H alternative high school in Los Angeles, Gary studied at UC Santa Cruz (Oaks College '77) and earned his degree in Psychobiology. After some memorable years at Cornell, he finished his studies in Neuroscience at UCLA receiving his PH.D. in 1988 and continuing on to earn his M.D. at Stanford in 1992. Upon serving a 7 year residency program he accepted an invitation to join the Stanford Neurosurgical Faculty.
Dr. Heit's creative genius earned him international recognition. His work can be found in various publications and chapters. His contributions furthered the field of deep brain and spinal cord stimulation improving the lives of those with movement disorders and pain syndromes. He built and directed the functional neurosurgical programs at Stanford and Kaiser Redwood City Hospitals. Gary co-founded a grass roots non-profit promoting advanced neurosurgical care in developing countries. Dr. Heit was the recipient of multiple humanitarian awards including the 2008 UCSC Founders Day Alumni Achievement Award, the 2009 Kaiser Permanente Sidney R. Garfield, MD Exceptional Contribution Award, and the Distinguished Humanitarian Award in 2012 by the San Francisco - Ho Chi Minh Sister City Committee.
Dr. Heit's joyous personality made him an icon in the hallways and operating rooms everywhere he worked leaving smiles and laughter in is wake. His bedside manner was one of kindness, humor, and a compassion informed by his personal experiences as a patient.
Complications from cancer forced Gary to retire from neurosurgery all too early for his liking. His wife and multitude of pets loved having him home soaking up all the love and sweetness he offered so freely. Working in his vegetable garden and cooking from its bounty kept him happily engaged, but sunsets were reserved for deep appreciation and gratitude for his beautiful life.
Even as Gary's spirit was vast and will to live seemingly endless, eventually he made the courageous decision to enter hospice. He passed away shortly thereafter at home.
Dr. Gary Heit is preceded in death by his father Louis Heit of Santa Cruz, his mother Ruth Heit of Santa Monica, and eldest brother Eric Heit of Santa Cruz. He is survived by a loving tribe of friends and family including Dr. Alan Heit of Santa Cruz, Karen Heit of Santa Monica, and Lori Lyons of Cusco, Peru.
