18 January 2006 Lyone Heppner 1917-2006 Lyone Heppner, who died recently aged 89, achieved so much through his decades of service to ORT that diplomats from 16 countries on five continents attended a reception in his honour in 1987. The reception, which was held as Mr Heppner came to the end of 15 years as President of ORT Canada, established the J.A. Lyone Heppner Chair in Biotechnology at the ORT Braude College of Engineering in Karmiel, Israel. It was a then member of the World ORT Academic Advisory Council, Lady Anne Chain, told the event the first time ORT had offered training in biotechnology. The events honorary patron was Professor Ephraim Katzir, former President of Israel, who was then President of World ORT. The honorary chairmen were Charles and Edward Bronfman. In addition to his leadership of ORT Canada, Mr Heppner was Vice President of World ORT between 1980 and 1986 and Honorary Vice President in 1987. During this time ORT enjoyed huge growth, a fact exemplified by the international presence at the 1987 tribute evening. It was during his tenure in office that the Canadian Government learned of the work of ORTs International Cooperation Department, which has benefited some two million people in 92 countries since 1960 with non-sectarian, humanitarian support. However, Mr Heppners association with ORT spanned more than half a century, having inherited his parents passion for the organisation and its work around the world. After stepping down as President of ORT Canada, Mr Heppner continued his involvement by running international ORT conferences and through his membership of the Academic Advisory Council. Lyone Heppner zl. I cant hammer a nail myself, the Canadian Jewish News once quoted Mr Heppner as saying, but I have a great respect for those who can. ORT schools teach people from 12 to 60 years of age skills to make their way through life, freeing them from charity. World ORT Director General Robert Singer said: It is evident from the material in the World ORT archives that Lyone Heppner demonstrated very strong leadership resulting in close relations between ORT Canada and World ORT. Born in Winnipeg, Mr Heppner enrolled in the University of Manitoba at 14, earning a bachelors degree in economics four years later. After the war, during which he served as an officer with the Royal Canadian Artillery, Mr Heppner returned to Montreal where he became involved in insurance, estate planning and pension fund consulting. He started his own firm, J.A. Lyone Heppner & Associates. Mr Heppner is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dodo; children Martin, Erik, Maxine and Sara; and sister Roberta Pollock.