Superior Senior Spotlight: Ed Heppe

Name: Ed Heppe

Education: Graduated from Superior High School in 1967.

Military Service:Served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1971 in the Vietnam War

Family: Married to Leslie for 22 years, between them they have four children and eight grandchildren.

Do you have any nicknames? I don’t have one now, but back when I was a kid my Granddad used to call me Rooster. He named all of us different things like angelface, and bratso.

Was there a chore you really disliked doing as a child? Why? Splitting wood. My Dad never got wood done until the last minute and you were out in the snow waist deep. He was always worried his firewood was going to be stolen by somebody.

What is the most important lesson that your parents taught you? They taught me to always be honest and hardworking.

Where were you born? What was your house like as a child? I was born in Newport, Washington, but I grew up in Cusick. Lived in a three-bedroom house, it was single story, wood framed, nothing fancy. It’s not around anymore because after a flood came through in 1948 most of the homes in the area were damaged.

Do you have a favorite story about a pet? We had a black lab named Tyke that I got from my sister. He would curl up and sleep in the floorboard of my truck. Back then you could leave your rifles laying there on the front seat, windows down, with the doors unlocked. One day when we were parked outside the bar in Paradise, a fella reached in and Tyke grabbed him by the arm. Someone came into the bar and asked if that was our rig, and told us the dog had a man by the arm reaching in the window. So I waited a bit and went outside, every time the man would move Tyke would clamp down harder. The guy claimed he was just reaching in to pet Tyke, but finally admitted he was reaching in to “look” at the rifles. Tyke was a good dog.

What is the most beautiful place you have ever visited and what was it like? Glacier National Park. I like all of the snowy peaks, and glaciers, has some beautiful lakes.

How do you socialize now and stay active? I’m apart of the Masonic Lodge, and the VFW. The Masons meet every two weeks, the idea of that organization is to make a good man better. I attend the Methodist church every Sunday. Mostly though I talk with friends on the phone.

What are some true marks of maturity? Make sure that your family is taken care of; help your neighbors as much as you help yourself. Have a job and show up on time. Take responsibility for your mistakes.

Reflecting back on your life, what are your greatest accomplishments? My daughter, Jill.

It’s almost Thanksgiving, what are you feeling the most thankful for? I’m thankful that I’m still alive, that my family is healthy, and that everyone will have safety in travels.