Mark Heineke, the marketing manager at University of Nebraska Press, died unexpectedly on July 24, three weeks before his 52nd birthday. The cause of death was not disclosed.

In an email sent to members of the Association of University Presses by executive director Peter Berkery, Heineke was lauded as “a wonderful coworker, quick with a hearty laugh and always available with advice and commiseration. He was a diehard Michigan Wolverines and Chicago Cubs fan, and he also came to love Husker volleyball.”

Berkery added that Heineke was “passionate about books and especially music and would often sing a few bars if a song was mentioned in conversation. He was a strong advocate for university presses and worked tirelessly to promote the institution of publishing.”

Jane Ferreyra, who was named director of the University of Nebraska Press a year ago this month, wrote in an email to PW: "Although I knew Mark for less than a year, I found him to be smart, articulate, and a real connoisseur of words in addition to books and music. I enjoyed working with him and valued what he brought to the leadership team at Nebraska. His loss is tragic and way too soon."

Greg Britton, the director of Johns Hopkins University Press wrote in an email: "Mark was passionate about the university press books he promoted. He had a quick wit and an infectious laugh. What some didn’t know about him is that he was also a singer-songwriter, and in 2012 cut his own album."

Heineke graduated from the University of Michigan in 1992 and earned an M.A. in English in 1999 from George Washington University. According to his LinkedIn profile, Heineke launched his career in publishing at the University of Chicago Press in 2000, and served as associate marketing director and promotions director. He then moved on to Northern Illinois University Press, where he served as editor-in-chief for two years (2011-2013). He also worked for Getty Publications in Los Angeles for four years as sales and marketing manager before moving back to the Midwest in 2017 to serve as the University of Nebraska’s marketing manager until his death.

Arrangements for a memorial service are pending; condolences can be sent to his spouse, Kelly Heineke, in care of University of Nebraska Press, 1225 L Street, Suite 200, Lincoln, Nebr., 68588-0630. A friend of Heineke’s has also set up a GoFundMe campaign to benefit Kelly “and the pups.”

This story has been updated with more information. An error concerning Heineke's birthdate has been corrected.