Bernard Heffernan ’50, a member of the 2002 Class of Distinguished Alumni, died Oct. 29, 2017, at the age of 90.
The Marvin, South Dakota, native earned degrees in dairy and poultry science and spent his first 13 years working for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a dairy plant inspector and as a manager for Pet Milk Co.
Then, with no experience in journalism, he switched careers, becoming an editor for Watt Publishing Co. From 1963 to 1999, Heffernan served as editor for “Turkey World,†the publication for the North American turkey industry.
In an interview with State after his selection as a Distinguished Alumnus, Heffernan said, “‘Turkey World’ is a publication we directed to leaders in the turkey industry.†As such, he talked with leading scientists, economists and corporate leaders, but all the while the Rockford, Illinois, resident kept a focus on consumers.
“That’s because we’re all consumers. That’s the way I felt. The CEO of the biggest company is a consumer just like the rest of us,†Heffernan said.
His status in the field prompted the Alumni Association to honor Heffernan for Professional Achievement in Agricultural Journalism.
In retirement, the U.S. Navy veteran enjoyed spending time at the family cabin in northern Wisconsin and traveling to domestic and foreign destinations. A voracious reader, he spent much of his free time reading and staying current on world politics. He also was a longtime member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Rockford, where services were conducted.
He was preceded in death by a brother, two sisters and two brothers-in-law. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Norma Jean (Leibbert); four children, Thomas (Maria), James (Joanne), Rosemary (David) Banach and Patrick; as well as six grandchildren and a sister-in-law, Sylvia (Happy) Heffernan.
