This is the thirty-third of our Court Times articles that highlight up close and personal a member of the Indiana Judiciary.
Bartholomew Circuit Court Judge Stephen R. Heimann is our judge featured in this issue. Judge Heimann graduated from Wabash College in 1977 and Indiana University Robert McKinney School of Law in Indianapolis in 1980. While in law school, he clerked at Ice, Miller, Donadio, & Ryan, interned for federal district court Judge Cale Holder, and worked for the Marion County Public Defender.
Following law school he and his wife, Ann, moved to Columbus. He was in private practice, first with another lawyer and then as a sole practitioner, before Governor Bayh appointed him to the bench in 1991. His wife is a graduate of St. Mary-of–the-Woods College. They have two children, Andrew and Emily. Andrew is a Licensed Acupuncturist with his practice in Miami Beach. Emily is a lawyer and the Court Administrator for the Marion County Superior Courts.
Judge Heimann is a former President of the Indiana Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (ICJFCJ) and the Indiana Board of Law Examiners; a former Chair of the IJC Ethics and Professionalism Committee; a former member of the Board of Directors of the Judicial Conference of Indiana, Judicial Education Committee; and a current member of the Supreme Court JLAP Committee. Judge Heimann received the Robert J. Kinsey Award for Outstanding Judicial Service and Support to the Children of Indiana, the Fair Administration of Juvenile Justice Service Award from the ICJFCJ, and the Outstanding Judge Award from the Young Lawyers Section of the ISBA.
What do you like most and least about being a trial court judge?
Most – I like the opportunity to make a positive difference in people’s lives: in the courtroom in decisions made in specific cases; and, outside the courtroom, by bringing people together to address community needs.
Least – Being a judge gives me a higher profile in my private life than what I sometimes care to have. Especially in a smaller community, even when I go to the grocery store, I’ve had mothers who, when they see me, will turn to their child and say, “You better be good. He’s the judge, and he’ll put you in jail if you don’t behave.”
What was your major in college and why did you decide to study law?
I majored in speech, which allowed me to load up on courses in history, philosophy and religion.
I was inspired to study law at an early age when I watched Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. work to change the system of justice so it would be fair to all.
What would you do if you were not a judge?
I would be very content to be an architect or a teacher.
Who are the people you most admire?
Number one is my wife, Ann. She had a tumor removed from the center of her spinal cord just below the brain stem in 1994, which has left her with fairly significant neurological deficiencies. Ann will tell you: “The tumor is not something I would have chosen, but it is not something that I would give up because it has made me who I am today—a more caring and compassionate person.”
I admire so many people for the way they conduct themselves in their everyday lives.
My first Court Reporter, Beth Lyons, taught me what it means to be a public servant. My high school English teacher, Will Travis, taught me that you have to work to your own full potential, not just try to do a little better than others. Fr. Joseph McNally taught me to love others even when they aren’t perfect or acting perfectly. Magistrate Heather Mollo, by her example, daily teaches me “people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Fr. Richard Rohr has taught me that dualistic thinking is limiting—it doesn’t have to be either/or. Rather, often, it is both/and.
What are your hobbies or favorite leisure activities, and how did you first get involved?
I read as much as I can get my hands on. In grade school, I would get into trouble for staying up too late reading. When I arrived at Wabash College, I was absolutely astounded at the love of learning that the professors displayed, and that is when reading became more than just a pastime, but a way of life.
I enjoy being outdoors soaking up the wonders of nature. I also love building projects.
What are your favorite books, and have you read any recently, or are reading now, that you would recommend?
I would highly recommend The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe, a profoundly moving memoir about the author’s mother, Mary Anne Schwalbe, and her battle with cancer. During her treatment, Mary Anne and Will spent many hours sitting in waiting rooms together. To pass the time, they would talk about the books they were reading. Once, by chance, they read the same book at the same time—and an informal book club of two was born. A profoundly moving memoir of caregiving, mourning, and love, it is also about the joy of reading. Despite the title, it is very uplifting.
Next, I would recommend Bridges Out of Poverty by Ruby Payne. This book takes the concepts of the “hidden rules” of economic cultures/class and uses them to educate the reader about the unique and often hidden obstacles that individuals from poverty face. I highly recommend this book, especially for people who think all poor people are just freeloaders.
Finally, I recommend Jesus – A Pilgrimage by Fr. James Martin. Combining the insights of historical works about Jesus with his and others’ spiritual insights about Christ, Father Martin colorfully recreates the world of Jesus’s life and times, which makes one feel as though the reader is right there listening to Jesus. The book is also filled with light-hearted stories and humor.
Where did you grow up and how would you describe your childhood?
I was born in Adams County, grew up in Allen County, and now live in Bartholomew County (license plate numbers 1, 2, and 3!). I was raised in Monroeville, a town of 1,200 people. My grade school had four classrooms for eight grades. My 8th grade class had 13 students. My parents were both teachers, so summers were especially wonderful as we had a camper and our family of eight piled into the station wagon and traveled about. My dad taught math, so he would often give us story problems to figure out during long trips. Growing up in a small town, I had no idea how many really smart people there are in the world until I went to Wabash College. That experience really opened my eyes to the world.
Do you have a favorite quote(s)?
For our career as judges:
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
—Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
For work ethic:
“Thirty percent of the people do the work and seventy percent of the people try to take credit for the work. So, you might as well just do the work because there is a lot less competition.”
—My dad, Cletus Heimann
About attitude:
“They say that time flies when you are having fun, but the truth is that time flies whether you are having fun or not; so you might as well have fun.”
—Me
More about attitude:
“Make it a good day!”
—Jeff Washburn
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Ft. Meyers, Florida. That is where the winter home of Thomas Edison is located. If it was good enough for Edison, then it is more than good enough for me.
Do you have a favorite meal, recipe, and restaurant?
Growing up, it was tuna fish casserole. Now it is salmon, although, the meatloaf at Weber Grill is hard to beat. When it comes to food, I am a bit puzzled. I cannot understand why I am heavy since I am such a light eater. Honestly, I am. When it gets light out, I start eating.