DISTINGUISHED KNIGHT AWARDS

Bishop Luers High School announced the 2018 recipients of the Distinguished Knight Award and the Honorary Distinguished Knight Award after a Mass opening Homecoming festivities on Sept. 14. Bishop Luers High School is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2018-2019.

Bruce Keller, a graduate of the Class of 1966, was the recipient of the 2018 Distinguished Knight Award. Keller spent many years working for a city government in Illinois helping improve the community for people he served.

When he returned to Fort Wayne, he immediately began volunteering at Bishop Luers to give back to the high school that strengthened him as a young man. He is a strong supporter of Bishop Luers by giving his time, talent and treasure. He often attends alumni functions and can be counted on to be a lector at alumni Masses.

He is active in the community as an instructor of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University program. For the last five years, this active retiree has also served the American Red Cross as a liaison to alleviate suffering caused by natural and man-made disasters in 11 counties in northern Indiana. Keller volunteers at his parish, St. Joseph, Roanoke, as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist and a money counter.

Keller served three years in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

He puts Christ in the center of all he does and credits his servant’s heart to his Catholic upbringing.

Robert Heiny is the 2018 Honorary Distinguished Knight Award recipient. Heiny, 96, remembers when Bishop Luers High School opened its doors in 1958 and welcomed the very first class of students.

Heiny was the very first basketball coach at Bishop Luers High School for its freshmen team from 1958-1959. He also coached the boys’ varsity basketball team at St. John the Baptist, Fort Wayne, from 1959-1973.

For the past 65 years, Heiny has been active in the community as a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was an usher and extraordinary minister of the Eucharist for 42 years and volunteered 29 years on the early morning shift with the Tuesday, Thursday crew at St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen.

Heiny served in the Army during World War II, where he showed bravery during battle in Germany. For serving his country, he was awarded two Bronze Stars along with an honorable discharge at the war’s end.

He is a devout Catholic widower and the father of three daughters, Ann, Linda and Marie, who all graduated from Bishop Luers High School. Together with his beloved wife Marge, of 60 years, he has seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

In May of 2018 the University of Saint Francis’ Board of Trustees and its President Sister Elise Kriss awarded Heiny with an honorary doctor of humane letters at commencement for his lifetime accomplishments and service to God and his community.