Full Obituary
May 24, 1942 – June 12, 2022
Gerardo was born in Yugoslavia on May 24, 1942, the son of Karl and Marie Heiss. They immigrated to Argentina and then to Chile where Gerardo earned a medical degree from the University of Chile at Santiago in 1968. He received a master’s degree in social medicine from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 1973 and completed a doctoral degree in epidemiology at the UNC School of Public Health in 1976.
Gerardo was too modest to list his accolades, but he was a Kenan Distinguished Professor. He wrote hundreds of papers on cardiovascular diseases and his legacy to help improve the lives of others is world renowned.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Jo Eaddy Heiss. Also surviving are his stepchildren, Michael C. Maready and Catherine Maready, her fiancé, Kevin L. Nichols, a cat affectionally named Trouble, his sister, Ingrid H. Bennewitz of Germany, his nephews Jan and Jorge Niklaus, his grandchild, Michael W. Maready, wife Samantha and his only great grandchild, Chloe Mae.
His gentle spirit and selflessness will be remembered by all who knew him.
Gillings School community honors the legacy of Dr. Gerardo Heiss