Remembering Paul M. Heberling
Professor Emeritus and former Dean of Men Paul M. Heberling passed away from complications of Parkinson’s disease on June 25, 2020 in Huntingdon at the age of 98. He was a native of State College, PA, served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, and received an undergraduate and two graduate degrees from Penn State. His first career was as staff psychologist at the Huntingdon State Penitentiary and then director of treatment at Rockview State Penitentiary in Centre County.
Paul arrived at Juniata in 1957 and served as dean of men for ten years while also teaching psychology and a course he called “Treatment of the Offender.” A few years later he changed departments, becoming professor of sociology. Dean Heberling developed a deep respect and affection for students, faculty, and staff at Juniata and nurtured innumerable friendships that lasted the rest of his life. He advised the student government organization and coached the debate and ice hockey teams. He also was involved in the struggle for civil rights and racial justice, including the Huntingdon and Juniata communities’ campaign to desegregate local barbershops and promote inclusivity beginning in the early 1960s. He was a voice for diversity and justice on campus and off throughout his life.
In 1967, Paul launched the archaeology and anthropology program at Juniata and in 1969 was named Beachley Distinguished Professor. He worked at the Sheep Rock Shelter site, including coordinating a joint Penn State-Juniata Archaeology Field School, and directed excavations and surveys at other archaeological sites throughout the Juniata Valley and beyond. For over 25 years he conducted a long-term archaeological study at Greenwood Furnace State Park in Huntingdon County, involving college field schools and the general public. He later assisted in running youth archaeology camps at Greenwood Furnace for many years. Paul also participated in archaeological excavations at Chimney Rock Mesa in southwestern Colorado, Flowerdew Hundred Plantation in Virginia, and Wharram Percy medieval village and Iron Age site in North Yorkshire, UK.
In 1985, Mr. Heberling founded the cultural resource management firm Heberling Associates, Inc. and remained actively involved with the firm until his death. He retired from Juniata College in 1989 and served the following year as director of the Brethren Colleges Abroad program in England, based in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. After his retirement, Paul remained closely connected with the Juniata community in many ways and was an enthusiastic supporter of and ambassador for the college. Even toward the end of his life, he faithfully attended as many Juniata athletic events as possible.
Paul served on the Pennsylvania (State) Historic Preservation Board and the board of Preservation Pennsylvania, which presented him with its highest honor, the F. Otto Haas Award in 2014. He was a tireless advocate for archaeology and historic preservation and a dynamic and gifted public speaker, who presented hundreds of talks about archaeology and local history to heritage groups, civic organizations, and school groups throughout the Juniata Valley. During his life he was active in a wide variety of local civic groups.
Paul is survived by his wife, Louise, who also has been deeply involved in the Juniata College community over the years. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary two days before his death. He also leaves a daughter, Judy Heberling ’68, and son-in-law, Michael Husband, of Huntingdon, and a son, Scott Heberling, and daughter-in-law, Diana Hubsch, of Bellevue, Pa. His son, David Heberling ’74, of Austin, Texas, predeceased him by several months. Two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, all of Golden, CO, also survive him.
—Judy Heberling ’68
Paul M. Heberling, 98, passed away peacefully on June 25, 2020 at The Oaks, Westminster Woods, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, surrounded by his family.
Born May 18, 1922 in State College, Pennsylvania, Paul was a son of the late Musser E. and Della C. (Henninger) Heberling. On June 23, 1945 he was united in marriage to Ann Louise Decker, who survives him. Only two days prior to his death the couple celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. He also is survived by his daughter, Judy Heberling, and son-in-law, Michael Husband, of Huntingdon; son, Scott Heberling, and daughter-in-law, Diana Hubsch, of Bellevue; two grandchildren, Natalie Heberling and Paul Heberling, both of Denver, Colorado; and two great-grandchildren, Will and Alex. He was preceded in death by a son, David; a sister, Miriam; and a brother, Ronald.
Paul earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at The Pennsylvania State University and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was staff psychologist at the State Penitentiary at Huntingdon and director of treatment at Rockview State Penitentiary from 1949 to 1957. During this period he served as manager of the Huntingdon Community Center, chairman of the local Red Cross chapter, and other civic positions.
In 1957 he became Dean of Men and psychology professor at Juniata College, moving a few years later to the Sociology Department. In teaching he found his true calling and in Juniata College his new home. Dean Heberling developed a deep respect and affection for students and faculty at Juniata and developed innumerable relationships that lasted for the rest of his life. He advised the student government organization and coached the debate and ice hockey teams. In 1967 he launched the archaeology and anthropology program at Juniata and in 1969 was named Beachley Distinguished Professor. He worked at the Sheep Rock Shelter Site and directed excavations and surveys at archaeological sites throughout the Juniata Valley and beyond. For over 25 years Paul conducted a long-term archaeological study at Greenwood Furnace State Park, involving college field schools and the general public. Later he assisted in running youth archaeology camps at the Park for many years.
In 1985 Paul founded the cultural resource management firm Heberling Associates, Inc. and remained actively involved with the firm until his death. He retired from Juniata College in 1989 but remained closely connected with the Juniata community in many ways. He served on the Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Board and the board of Preservation Pennsylvania, which presented him with its highest honor, the F. Otto Haas Award, in 2014. He was a tireless advocate for archaeology and historic preservation.
Paul was a dynamic and gifted public speaker who presented hundreds of talks about archaeology and local history to heritage groups, civic organizations, and school groups throughout the Juniata Valley. During his life he was active in local civic groups, serving several terms as president of the Huntingdon County Historical Society, chairman of the Huntingdon Borough Shade Tree Commission, member of the Zoning Board, and various other posts. He was pleased to receive the Wanda Meyash Outstanding Citizen Award from the Borough of Huntingdon, and he was a longtime member of the Abbey Reformed UCC Church.