Jeffrey Wade Heitkamp

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Dr. Jeffrey W. Heitkamp, retired neurosurgeon, father, son, and brother. Jeff was born on April 29, 1953 at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington D.C. He was the son of Arnold Matthew Heitkamp and Melba Jean Nagel of Barney, North Dakota.

Jeff grew up in Barney on the family farm with his brothers, Paul, Doug, Todd, and Chris as well as his only sister Beth. He attended Wyndmere High School, where he was active in the F.F.A. and played football. His brother Douglas continues the family legacy and farms the family land. After graduating high school, Jeff applied to the U.S. Naval Academy aspiring to become a submarine captain. However, his eyesight made him unable to pass the physical. His ambitions shifted to North Dakota State University in Fargo, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology and a minor in Math. He then set his sights on his next goal: Medical School. He attended University of North Dakota School of Medicine for two years before transferring to Baylor School of Medicine in Houston, TX. 

During his neurosurgery residency he met his wife of 40 years, Martha Cadwallader, in a Harris County Clinic on one of his rotations. They were married in March of 1980. They welcomed their first daughter, Jeanette, in December of 1984. He completed his residency in 1985 and moved to Longview, TX to join a private practice group. In 1986, he settled in Arlington, TX joining Dr. Lito Porto's Neurosurgery practice, where he became a permanent fixture in the Arlington medical community. He and Martha then welcomed their second daughter, Emily, in November of 1986 followed by their son, Jeffrey, in December 1987.

While in Arlington Jeff served his community by providing neurosurgical care at Arlington Memorial Hospital, Medical Center of Arlington, and eventually at U.S. Medical Department. He served thousands of patients during his 36-year medical career. Patients often mentioned how attentive, honest, and thorough he was when explaining their cases and post-operative care. He prided himself on rounding on his own patients and making sure they were not only receiving the best care possible but were also put at ease by answering their questions or concerns. His dedication and love for his work was an overpowering example to both his daughters who later became nurses. Jeanette and Emily remember spending hours at various nurses' stations while he saw his patients in the hospital.

With a busy work schedule, Jeff made sure to carve out time for family vacations at least once a year, taking his family on long road trips to the family farm in North Dakota and the lake cabin in Minnesota. Jeff loved being on the water. He was an avid fisherman and sailor, making long off-shore trips in the Gulf of Mexico, Lake Michigan, and the coast of Alaska. He was also a devout New York Yankees fan, taking in as many Rangers vs. Yankee games as he could at the Ballpark in Arlington. Later, as he eased into partial retirement, he became an avid gardener, took many bird watching trips, and made many memories with his granddaughters picking vegetables in his garden.

He is survived by his son Jeffrey A. Heitkamp, daughter Jeanette Heitkamp-Simmons and husband Thomas C. Simmons, granddaughters Faye, Dorothy and Etta Simmons, his mother Melba Heitkamp, brothers Chris Heitkamp and Douglas Heitkamp and wife Debbie, Sister Beth Madsen and husband Scott Madsen.

He was preceded in death by his wife Martha Cadwallader Heitkamp, his daughter Emily Jayne Heitkamp, his Father Arnold Matthew Heitkamp, his brothers Paul Heitkamp and Todd Heitkamp.

Jeff will be remembered as a dedicated doctor, loyal friend, and a loving son, father and brother. He will be missed.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in his name to the American Cancer Society or the National Audubon Society.

A memorial service for Jeff will be held at Fielder Church in Arlington TX, on October 3, 2026 at 11am.