News yesterday of the death of Sen. John Heinz III, just one day after speaking at State College Area Junior High School, stunned students and community members here.

Heinz, a third-term Republican from Pennsylvania, was killed yesterday when the small plane he was flying in collided with a helicopter over a school in Lower Merion, a suburb of Philadelphia.

On Wednesday night, Heinz spoke at the State College Area Junior High School, 2180 School Drive. Principal John Casey said that when he learned of Heinz' death and realized that the State College presentation was one of Heinz' last, he was stunned.

Heinz answered questions from residents and University students for two hours on topics such as the war, graduate student aid and the legalization of marijuana, John Casey said.

Yesterday, University President Joab Thomas began his speech outlining his goals for the University with a moment of silence to honor the senator.

Carl Thorsen, a staff assistant to Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., said, "Sen. Specter is in an absolute state of shock" and that he could not comment on the "disaster."

Heinz' Senate spot will be filled by an appointee of Gov. Robert P. Casey, said Edward Keynes, a professor of political science. The appointee will serve the balance of Heinz' term or until the next election, he added.

Students are concerned that Heinz' successor would not support student issues like financial aid.

"He's going to appoint someone who doesn't support aid (for students)," Heather Lowe (junior-accounting) said.

Mayor Arnold Addison said students are concerned about Casey's appointee because of the budget cuts facing the University.

"Casey has not been too generous as far as the University is concerned, but that's also present in other areas as well," Addison said, citing Casey's hesitance to fund transportation.

Richard DiEugenio, director of legislative affairs in the University Office of Governmental Affairs, worked closely with Heinz' staff while lobbying for the University in Washington, D.C. DiEugenio said Heinz had always been a proponent of higher education in Pennsylvania and that Heinz was a very likable person.

"He was a real friend of higher education, as well as being a very warm person," DiEugenio said.

Heinz had acheived high esteem in the Senate, DiEugenio said, and other senators looked to him for guidance.

"He had a lot of seniority; he was considered one of the leaders," he said. "It was a very great loss, both personally and politically."

Addison said he expects Casey to appoint someone who does not neglect the needs of the University.

"I think they would be stupid if they didn't," Addison said.

Gary Spigarelli (senior-labor and industrial relations) said he did not like the fact that voters will not get to elect the next senator.

"There should probably be some kind of way for people to elect him, " Spigarelli said.

Heinz's plane was en route to Philadelphia from Williamsport yesterday afternoon and he was scheduled to attend an editorial board meeting at the Philadelphia Inquirer. He was also scheduled to attend a town meeting in Media last evening.

Lower Merion Police, who are investigating the accident, would only say that the wreckage landed at Merion Elementary School at Winwood and Bowman avenues in Merion.

The collision occurred shortly after noon, but Heinz's death was not confirmed until two hours later by his Washington, D.C., office.