Leigh Heisinger, born on February 13, 1935, in East Orange, New Jersey, passed away, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be cherished by his family and friends. He was the beloved child of Frederick William Heisinger and Lucy Underhill Lyons.

Leigh's journey through life was marked by remarkable achievements and a deep passion for the circus. He graduated from Columbia High School in 1953 before dedicating four honorable years of service to the United States Coast Guard. His pursuit of knowledge led him to Florida State University, where he graduated cum laude in 1961.

Leigh's love for the circus was ignited during his childhood in New Jersey. He frequently attended circus performances and eagerly volunteered to help with various tasks, from watering animals to assisting with props for the acts. His fascination with the circus culminated in 1958 when he met the inventor of an extraordinary act and rigging, which he named the "Giant Space Wheel." Leigh became the first graduate of FSU's Flying High Circus to embark on a professional circus career, captivating audiences worldwide as "The Sensational Leighs."

His extraordinary aerial performances brought joy and excitement to international and national audiences alike. Leigh's talents even graced the stage of "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1963. His dedication and artistry were celebrated with numerous accolades, including the Circus Oscar in Madrid, Spain, the 7th World Circus Festival in 1992, a gold medal at the International Circus Festival in Sarasota, Florida, in 1993, and the title of "Most Outstanding Aerial Thrill Attraction" by the Western Fair Association in 1995.

In an interview with Tallahassee Magazine in 2018, he reflected on his journey with these heartfelt words: 

“It’s hard to sum up 40 years of performing in one sentence or word. All I know is that looking back, it was over in the blink of an eye. But I have few regrets and a ton of good memories. I guess you could say that, for the most part, I am a lucky man who never had to ‘work’ for a living.”  

Beyond the circus ring, Leigh was a devoted fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers and had the privilege of meeting several professional players. He also pursued his love for baseball by participating in adult baseball camps in Vero Beach Florida, the Tallahassee Classics, and Roy Hobbs in Fort Myers, Florida. Upon retiring from his aerialist career, Leigh utilized his FSU education degree as a middle school teacher at Raa Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida.

In 2009, Leigh married the love of his life, Celestial. Their shared passions included listening to classical music, attending classical concerts, and enjoying evenings at the movie theater. They cherished special occasions, celebrating with family and friends in the warmth of their home.

Leigh also had a deep love for animals, sharing his home with two beloved pets, a parrot named Gaucho and a cat named Samson. In his later years, he dedicated much of his time to maintaining a beautiful yard, ensuring that the grass was perfectly trimmed, and the garden was a source of pride.

His love for adventure took him on countless journeys, and his thirst for knowledge was quenched through the pages of books. Leigh's zest for life, his unwavering dedication to his craft, his profound love for family and friends, and his passions for music, movies, pets, gardening, travel, and literature enriched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Leigh Heisinger was preceded in death by his daughter, Robin Lewand, as well as his siblings, Bob and Dianne. He is survived by his loving wife, Celestial Heisinger, of Havana, Florida; son-in-law, Dalton Lewand; stepchildren May Lugtu, Alfredo Bartolome Jr., and Alnen Bartolome in the Philippines; Frey Celle and Lion Kim in South Korea; Remee Anne Bartolome-Magdait and Ariel Magdait, Lou Bartolome, and Kae Bartolome of Tallahassee, Florida; and Jan Bartolome of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Leigh also leaves behind his adoring grandchildren, Kyle, Ball, Yuma, Anayul, Arlo, and Baby Sol. Leigh is also survived by his former spouses, Nancy Harrison, who is the mother of his cherished daughter Robin Lewand, and Naomi Ruth Smith, both of whom played integral roles in his life's journey. He is further survived by his dear friend Patricia Kohler and her son Louis, along with a multitude of extended family members and friends.

Leigh Heisinger's zest for life, his unwavering dedication to his craft, and his boundless love for family and friends will forever remain etched in our hearts. We celebrate his remarkable journey, and though he is no longer with us, his spirit will continue to inspire us all. May he rest in eternal peace.

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