Heyns, Garrett (1891-1969) | Heritage Hall, Hekman Library

Garrett Heyns (21 September 1891, Allendale, MI - 3 November 1969, Olympia, WA) was an educator and later a penologist of some accomplishment. A lifelong scholar, Heyns wrote and spoke extensively, particularly on the theme that education was important to self-improvement and dealing with the problems of society. Both in Michigan and in the state of Washington he worked diligently providing academic and vocational training to prison inmates and finding employment for them prior to their release on parole.

The son of William Wynant Heyns and Henrietta Tien, Garrett Heyns completed the two-year educational program at Calvin College in 1911; obtained from the University of Michigan an AB in 1915, MA in 1916, and a PhD in 1928. He taught and served at schools in New Jersey, Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan, and became the superintendent of the Holland, Michigan, Christian Schools in 1928. In 1937 he became the warden of the Michigan Reformatory at Ionia, Michigan, and was then appointed State Director of Corrections. In 1957 he was appointed Director of the State of Washington Department of Institutions. On 25 December 1916 Heyns married Rosa Klooster of Grand Rapids, Michigan. They had two children, Roger W. and Jacqueline J. (Rudeen).