LENOIR, NC — Well-known (and well-liked) musician, and pro audio/M.I. professional Glen Heffner passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 8, 2016, at his home in Lenoir, NC. He was 63.
Born in Kittery, ME, Glen was the son of Mildred Rudisill Heffner and U.S. Marine Glen Elmore Heffner. After his father’s untimely death, the family moved to North Carolina. Graduating from Lenoir-Rhyne with a B.A. degree in music, he played with many bands in the ’70s, including Coyote and eventually formed The Rumblers.
Glen turned his love for music into co-owning a successful music store, Fantasy Music, in Granite Falls, NC. He later moved to the manufacturing side, as a rep for many pro and M.I. brands, including Akai, AKG, Alesis and Sontronics and worked with mic/studio monitor company Avantone. Most recently, Glen was involved as the global director of sales and marketing with the launch of Vanguard Audio Labs, a new pro audio company specializing in affordable, high-performance tube microphones.
Having married his high school sweetheart in 1977, Glen had two sons, Sean and Seth Heffner. Glen is survived by his dear friend Kathy Heffner, two sons and two grandsons, Samuel and Nolan Heffner. He is also survived by his brother, Steven R. Heffner and wife Karen Heffner and son Steven Heffner.
I knew Glen for more than 25 years, and have rarely encountered anyone with such an unceasing dedication and passion to help others in the industry. A memorial was held in Granite Falls on August 12, where friends and loved ones gathered to offer their farewells. Farewell, friend, you will be missed by all. — George Petersen
