Heide Giselle Prout

We sadly announce the passing of our beloved stepmom, Heide Prout, of Tipton, Indiana on Sunday, January 19, 2025, shortly before midnight. She has joined our dad, Richard Prout, who passed last year on February 6, 2024. Heide was a beautiful, intelligent woman who was loved by all, and she will be missed by everyone who knew her!

Heide Giselle Prout was born on March 24, 1930, in Nordenham, Germany. She was the oldest of 5 siblings and grew up in Bremerhaven, Germany during WW II. She was like a second mother to many of her siblings, in addition to being a lifelong best friend and loving elder sister. She completed high school and language training and held diplomas in 3 languages, English, French and Spanish plus her mother tongue German. This enabled her to start working for the US forces in Germany. She came to the United States, at the age of 25, to work as a translator in New York City.

Heide later went to Santa Monica, California, where she met and married her soulmate, Richard Alan Prout. The two of them truly adored each other. It was there, too, that she became a United States citizen. She was employed by Cedars-Sinai Hospital where she worked in records in the Psychiatric Unit. Both Amy and Lisa lived with Heide and Richard, for their senior years of high school, where they were able to further bond with her and they were honored to call her their second mom. Heide and Richard enjoyed traveling through Europe visiting many countries, so he could pursue his hobby - turned second career - of photography. Amy and Lisa have fond memories of joining them one summer and sharing in their adventures. 

Following retirement, Heide and Richard moved to Tipton, Indiana where they made their home. They enjoyed spending time with Richard's mother, Helen Prout, before she passed. Heide loved having family and friends visit – especially for tea with delicious cakes and treats. Heide could be seen regularly walking her beloved dachshunds, Zeppel and then Jay Jay, around town. She was also super supportive of Richard, spending many summers in Laguna Beach, so he could sell his photographs at the Art-A-Fair.

Heide resided at The Waters of Tipton for the past year, where they took really good care of her. Prior to her death, Heide was struggling with memory issues. However, her long-term memory was pretty good and her brother-in-law and dear friend, David Lacy, visited her almost every day, saying that he really enjoyed their friendship and stimulating conversations. We know she loved and appreciated his visits and was especially grateful when anyone came to visit her at The Waters. Heide was extremely proud of Amy, who earned her master's degree in healthcare administration, the year before she passed.

Heide was preceded in death by her adoring husband, Richard Prout; her parents, Dr. Günther Leichsering and Erika Mehner Leichsering; her sister, Jutta and brother-in-law Manfred Roock; her brother, Jörn Leichsering; and her brother-in-law, Dr. Jürg Muggler.

Survivors are her stepdaughters, Lisa Spinelli of Connecticut; Amy Prout and her husband Chris DeGroot of California; a sister, Dagmar Muggler of Switzerland; a brother, Volker Leichsering and his wife, Jacqueline, also of Switzerland; her five grandchildren, Arianna, Dante and Nicolo Spinelli of Connecticut and Christian and Brandon DeGroot of California; in-laws, Bob and Sandy Prout, Jane Prout and David Lacy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private memorial will be held this summer to celebrate her life. In her memory, we would ask that you spend more quality time with your loved ones, hug them and tell them how much you love them! If you would like to donate to a charity or organization of your choice that benefits people with Alzheimer's or dementia, I am sure she would appreciate that. 

Young-Nichols Funeral Home is honored to be assisting the Prout family with Heide's arrangements.