Background
Fridolin Jr. Heer was born in 1864 at Chur, Switzerland, brought to this country in infancy by his parents.
Fridolin Jr. Heer was born in 1864 at Chur, Switzerland, brought to this country in infancy by his parents.
Between 1881 and 1883 he studied at Campion College in Prairie du Chien, and following his graduation went to Europe for a course of advanced study at the Royal Architectural School in Stuttgart, Germany.
Returning to Dubuque the following year, Mr. Heer joined his father in partnership and was continuously active in an ever-growing practice during his remaining years. Among the most important works of the firm with which he was identified were the large Sacred Heart Parish School and Auditorium on the Sacred Heart grounds; the splendidly arranged Mary of the Angels Home for young women; St. Joseph's Academy, recent additions to St. Mary’s Orphans' Home; St. Columbille's Parochial School, and the Sunny Crest Sanitarium (a model design), all in Dubuque. He was also architect of the Fulton and Irving City schools, and a number of residences. Elsewhere the firm planned and erected buildings at St. Mary's Academy, Prairie du Chien from 1886 until 1940, Catholic churches at Fort Madison, Iowa; Pomeroy, Ohio; Dyersville, Ill., and many other institutional buildings in other cities.
Dean of Dubuque architects at the time of his death, Mr. Heer was a former member of the old Western Association of Architects. Following transference to the A.I.A. he was raised to Institute Fellowship in 1889, and in 1905 helped organize the Iowa Chapter.