The Life of THEODORE STANFORD HEGGEN III
Ted S. Heggen III, 79, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 25, 2010 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines after a lengthy illness.
He was born on April 23, 1931 in Des Moines and grew up in Highland Park. After graduating from Spring Hill High School in 1949, Ted joined the Marine Corps and was stationed in Kodiak, Alaska, where he served as a Staff Sergeant during the Korean War. He designated himself a “Remington Raider” due to his typing speed of over 120 words per minute.
After a long engagement, Ted married Virginia Harritt on May 17, 1958. Shortly after, they settled into a wonderful neighborhood full of young families on the Southside of Des Moines - where they still reside today. Ted was a devoted husband and father. Six children were successfully raised in that tiny, red house, which continues to provide space for this very close and now even larger family to gather and celebrate often.
Ted was a businessman and an entrepreneur. He was the owner/operator of Commercial Traffic, where he worked as a self-employed freight auditor for many years. He also ran Commercial Copy printing service and Heggen Photography out of his home. In later years, Ted taught himself how to use a personal computer and shared his knowledge with other Senior Center members. He enjoyed working with his hands, tinkering with electronics, and listening to a wide variety of music including classical, jazz, show-tunes and rockabilly. He had fond memories of managing the Val Air Ballroom in the early 1950’s, and often talked about meeting the artists and bands of the era.
Ted was a proud member of the American Legion, served as President of the South Des Moines Chamber of Commerce, President of the Lincoln Band Boosters, and Council Member of Christ the King Catholic Church. He loved to call Bingo at the Senior Center, treasure hunt at garage sales, play computer games, watch Jeopardy and Cash Cab, and never bowled again after beating his dad many years ago with a score of 300, a perfect game! He was also active in the over-50 club and over-60 club, and enjoyed the Saturday night movies at Christ the King.
Ted looked forward to spending time with family and friends. He encouraged and supported all of his children and always had a lap full of grandchildren. He often said, “All we have is time,” as he made himself available to others. He invested in people and helped in whatever way he could. He was a good listener, speaker and a deep thinker, yet he had the ability of expressing himself in a simple, straightforward manner.
Ted loved to travel and had the opportunity throughout his life to visit every state except Vermont. In later years, he took many senior bus trips, visited his brother Jim in Las Vegas, toured New York City, and finally made it back to Alaska. Ted and Virginia also started a tradition of the annual Heggen Family Clear Lake vacation, which continues today with over 33 family members.
Ted is survived by his wife, Virginia, of 52 years; sister–in-law Betty Jane Houck; sons Ted (Kim) Heggen, Bob (Shelly) Heggen; daughters Diane Wolf, Mary (Chris) Donahue, Ginny (Steve) Tow, Katie (Ray) Noble; his grandchildren Nick (Ericka), Ross, Ted (Alex), Danny, Mallory, Alicia (Joe), Christopher (Lindsey), Michael, Linsey, Ryan, Emily, Drake and Raina; and his great-grand children Jackson and William. Ted was preceded in death by his parents Ted and Roberta Heggen; brother Jim Heggen, and son-in-law Abe Wolf.
Ted celebrated life. He enjoyed good health in between the not so good moments, but he never complained. He was looking forward to feeling good and having the opportunity to get out and go and be with family and friends.
The family of Ted Heggen would like to thank the Mercy Medical Community for their outstanding care, and friends for their continued prayers, love and support. Our circle is a little smaller today, but the ripple will continue to grow. We are the living legacy of the leader of the Heggen Clan! Vi