James R. Heintze

James R.Heintze passed away surrounded by the love of his family. Born in Washington, D.C., Jim was the son of Ruth and Gustav Heintze and grew up alongside his siblings, Dick, Joe, and Anna May.

Jim earned degrees from Loyola University, American University, Peabody Conservatory of Music and University of Maryland, College Park, institutions that helped shape his lifelong passion for learning, music, and history. He devoted approximately 36 years to American University as its Music Librarian, where he served generations of students, faculty, and researchers with exceptional knowledge, dedication, and enthusiasm.

Jim joined American University Library as Music Librarian and was an adjunct faculty member with AU’s Department of Performing Arts in the early 1970s teaching piano, music history, and musicology.  Jim initiated the expansion of the Record Score Library collection into a full-fledged Music Library in 1979.  He effectively built the Music Library’s collections, including a collection of historic sheet music which has now been digitized and is used by people from all over the world.  Jim was promoted to Assistant Librarian for Collections Services, making him responsible for the Library’s technical services units. He retired in 2006 but continued at AU Library as a part-time music cataloger until 2012.

A gifted classically trained pianist, Jim studied piano from an early age and maintained a deep appreciation for music throughout his life. His love of music extended beyond performance into scholarship.  He authored, edited, or contributed to upwards of 20 books and published numerous articles and reviews. His favorite time of year was July 4th, and he became a leading expert on Fourth of July celebrations. He published two books and an encyclopedia on the holiday and was interviewed and quoted frequently over the years by radio broadcasters and news and historical websites, at one point earning the nickname “Mr. Fourth of July.” Jim loved to share his knowledge of the history of AU’s surrounding neighborhoods with visitors. He organized popular bus tours of AU Park and Spring Valley for All American Weekend, entertaining parents and alumni with tales of famous residents and deepening their appreciation for American University and its community.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jim generously gave his time to causes he cared about. He volunteered at Little Bennett Regional Park, the Kingsley Schoolhouse, and at Little Bennett Elementary School, sharing his knowledge and love of history. 

Jim married Maria Yolanda, at North Chevy Chase Christian Church. Their marriage of more than 40 forty years was built on love, partnership, mutual respect, and a steadfast commitment to family. Together they built a life centered on service, faith, friendship, and the joy of raising their family.

Jim's greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Maria Yolanda; his children, Terry and Daniela; his son in law Daniel, his daughter-in-law Stacey, and his three cherished grandchildren. He also leaves behind his sister, nephews, nieces, cousins, brothers in law, extended family, friends, colleagues, and all whose lives were enriched by his kindness, wisdom, and gentle spirit.

Jim will be remembered for his intellectual curiosity, his witty sense of humor, his quiet generosity, his devotion to music and history, and his unwavering commitment to education and service. His legacy lives on through his family, his published works, the students and colleagues he inspired, and the many lives he touched throughout his remarkable life.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the doctors from Kaiser Permanente and the caregivers from MCM - Medical Consulting and Management and to the Montgomery County Hospice professionals who provided comfort, dignity, and compassionate care during Jim’s final days.

His family will forever cherish his memory and the enduring example of a life well lived.

A celebration of his life will take place at the Cedarbrook Community Church in Clarksburg, Maryland on Saturday, August 22, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. All who knew and loved Jim, as well as friends of the family are welcome to gather to honor Jim’s life. 

The family welcomes flowers or memorial donations to Montgomery Hospice, Cedarbrook Community Church, The Association of Bolivian Women of the Washington Metropolitan Area 501 (C3) organization or The Panamerican Round Table of Washington, D.C.  

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