Retired CUNA Mutual Group President/CEO Richard M. Heins died May 3. He was 85.

Heins led CUNA Mutual Group from 1988 to 1995. As a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin, Heins began working with the company as a consultant in 1956. For nearly four decades, Heins had an influential hand in numerous corporate developments at CUNA Mutual Group, having worked with almost every department.

One of the major accomplishments under his leadership was the signing of a permanent affiliation agreement with Century Companies of America in Waverly, Iowa, to market individual life and annuity products to credit union members.

Affectionately known as “Doc,” to his students and co-workers, Heins was noted for his leadership, insurance knowledge, and passion for the credit union movement. In 2010, the National Credit Union Foundation recognized him with the prestigious Herb Wegner Award for Lifetime Achievement in the credit union movement.

“Doc was one of those rare individuals who possessed incredible creativity combined with a passion to collaborate,” said Jeff Post, CUNA Mutual Group president/CEO. “The leadership and vision he provided–not only to the United States credit union system and its members, but other credit union systems and members around the world–is still being felt today. It was an honor to know him and learn from him.”

Heins is survived by his wife, Ruth, four daughters and 10 grandchildren.