Former U.S. Open Tennis Chair Merv Heller Dead at 65

Merv Heller amassed a long list of accomplishments in his 65 years. The former U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) president died Wednesday at St. Luke's University Hospital in Bethlehem after a prolonged illness, according to the Reading Eagle.

Heller, 65, was active in Saucon Valley Country Club and was known for his law practice and community involvement in the Reading area.

He had chaired the U.S. Open - one of the most prestigious events in sports.

Heller served for more than 10 years on the board of the directors of the Berks County Chamber of Commerce and as legal counsel for organization. He was a former chairman of the Berks County GOP.

Heller began with the USTA in 1974 as president of the Lehigh Valley District Tennis Association.

Heller graduated from East Stroudsburg University in 1969 and went undefeated in tennis conference matches for his four years of college. Upon graduation, he held the school record for career wins in singles and doubles.

In 1990, Heller was inducted into the ESU Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, Heller was recognized by his alma mater with the Helen G. Brown Award, given by the ESU Alumni Association to its most notable and successful alumni for lifelong accomplishments.  

Heller earned his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.