( Heye )

Born : 16th December, 1879 - Heidelberg, Germany

Died : 9th June, 1959 - Mannheim, Germany

Married : 1909 - Astrid Ada Agnes - later divorced

Children : Victoria Libertas, John, Ottora Maria

Artist & Teacher

GERMAN

1932

AFTER A WEEK in London, Baba bade farewell to his close ones in London and proceeded to Zurich, Switzerland, on December 14th. Besides the mandali, accompanying him were Norina, Elizabeth, Enid and Tod.

The group arrived in Zurich on December 15th. Hedi and Walter Mertens, and Otto Haas-Heije were Baba's hosts. Heije was an established artist, as was Hedi Mertens, and a good friend of Norina's ( Matchabelli ). Heije had a fine art school in Zurich and arranged a warm reception there for Baba, who met with various Swiss people from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. and from 3 to 7 P.M., after which he walked by the lake for an hour. At the reception, a woman who later became one of the foremost artists in Switzerland met Baba for the first time; her name was Helen Dahm and years later she stayed in India with other westerners and did significant painting for Baba.

One of the main persons to find out about Baba from Heije was Otto Billo, an international businessman interested in spiritual matters. Along with his friend Walter Mertens, he was following a Sufi Master when they heard about Meher Baba. Otto Billo had previously met Baba and told Walter Mertens that he must meet him, too. At first, Walter's wife Hedi was not too interested in Baba, as she was a follower of Sri Ramakrishna. In a reserved mood, Hedi went with Walter anyway and immediately was captured by Baba's love. Otto Billo's contact proved significant, as his daughter Irene Billo was destined to become very close to Baba.

Lord Meher Volume 5, Page 1749

December 14th. 1932,

Baba left Knightsbridge Hotel, S.W. London, on December 14th. 1932, for Zurich, arriving there on December 15th. A reception had been prepared for him by Otto Haas Heye, who has a big art school in Zurich and is an old friend of Norina's ( Matchabelli ). Baba saw people from 11 to 1 P.M. and from 3 to 7 P.M., after which he walked by the lake until 8 P.M.

The Awakener Magazine -

Volume 14 Number 1 Page 34

1933

This time in Italy, Baba kept everyone busy, especially with writing, typing and other such work. Kitty and Minta had come to Portofino ahead of the group to prepare the house. Kitty was to supervise everything. Herbert Davy arrived on July 4th; Otto Haas-Heije, Hedi Mertens and her daughter Anna Katarina (Roelni) came from Zurich; Enid Corfe arrived from Milan; Victor and Alice Trau-Fisher came from Vienna. Alice had met Norina at a tea in New York some years before and they had corresponded regularly; Norina told Baba about her and Baba had them called.

Lord Meher Volume 5, Page 1775

The group arrived in Paris at two, Sunday afternoon, October 8th. Ruano Bogislav, Norina Matchabelli and Quentin Tod were present at the station to greet them. Baba checked into the Hotel Vouillement and then went to Ruano's apartment, where about fifty people had gathered for his darshan. He saw them all in less than three hours. Among those seen were Otto Haas-Heije, his wife and their daughter.

Lord Meher Volume 5, Page 1819

It was a foggy and cold crossing of the English Channel, yet the sea was not rough. They arrived in Calais and traveled on e Continental Express train to Paris, where they arrived at six that evening.

Anita left the group in Paris, since it had been previously decided by Baba that she be sent to Zurich to study at Otto Haas-Heije's art school. The rest of the group boarded the Paris-Orleans Night Express at 8:40 P.M.

Lord Meher Volume 5, Page 1833

FROM EUROPE, Norina, Anita, Otto Haas-Heije, Hedi and Walter Mertens together sent Baba this Christmas telegram: "Remembering past Christ, we greet coming Avatar."

K. K. Manekar came to see Baba on December 25th. Even though it was Christmas Day, Baba made no special occasion of it.

Lord Meher Volume 5, Page 1856

Later that afternoon, Baba drove with all in his group to Zurich to see the studio of Otto Haas-Heije, the artist and designer who had previously met Baba several times. On this occasion, Otto and Frieda Billo met Baba there, as did other Swiss. At Feldmeilen, Baba was relaxed and paid much attention to the Mertens family, playing with Walter and Hedi's four children – Anna Katharina, Wolfgang, Pieter and Tobias (Toby) – all of whom were enchanted by Baba's personality. Arend Fuhrman, their adopted son, also had Baba's close contact during this period.

Lord Meher Volume 6, Page 1894

1936

November 6th was Baba's last day in London, before going to Zurich. Baba gave final instructions to individuals; then he and a group left for Victoria train station. Kitty Davy and Margaret Craske had brought him small bunches of violets, which Baba lovingly distributed to each as a parting token of his love.

Accompanied on this trip by Norina, Elizabeth, Margaret and Kitty, Baba, Kaka and Chanji arrived in Zurich, the following day where he met with Hedi and Walter Mertens and their children. Anita de Caro was living with the Mertens and studying art at Otto Haas-Heije's school. During this occasion, Baba instructed her to go to Paris to continue her studies for three months and await his call to come to India. Baba visited Hedi's brother-in-law's house and met the Swiss people gathered there. After a while, Baba remarked, "Someone I was expecting has not come. Now, I'll have to come back again." He was referring to a young Swiss lady, Irene Billo, whose rendezvous with him was soon approaching.

After two days in Zurich, Baba, Chanji and Kaka took a train back to Paris on November 8th and met with Ruano Bogislav. She, too, was informed about coming to India and was to make plans accordingly.

Lord Meher Volume 6, Page 2044