Ed Heppe Obituary

Dave Hannah '67 said:

Floyd Edward “Ed” Heppe Jr. passed peacefully in his sleep on April 30, 2022. Surrounded by loving family, he died at home in Superior, Montana at age 73 after a valiant battle with cancer attributed to Agent Orange exposure during his service in Vietnam. Ed’s beloved miniature poodle, Peanut, lay snuggled on his chest during the final hours.
Ed is survived by his Wife, Leslie, Daughters Jill (Guy) Betts of Superior, Lisa (Steve) Tartaglino of Somers, Candi (Ty) Fike of Missoula, Son Josh (Carmen) Fike of Belgrade, Granddaughters, Eddye K Betts of Superior, Koada Heacock of Missoula, Sawyer Heacock of Austin, Texas, and Dawson Chambers of Somers, Grandsons Quentin Betts of Superior, Kash Fike of Belgrade, Aiden and Vance Potter of Missoula, Sisters Connie (Ray) Bryant, Carmen (Dale) Lane of Polson and Camille (Kelly) Rogers of Great Falls along with many, many nieces and nephews.
Ed was born July 16, 1949 in Newport, Washington. When Ed was nine, the family moved to Superior. Ed graduated from Superior High School and began working at the Diamond Match Mill until he was called to serve his country in the U.S. Army in 1969.
Ed was very proud of his military service where he served with distinction rising swiftly to the rank of sergeant in less than a year- an unusually fast promotion. Never one to boast, his military record speaks for itself. During his service in Vietnam (1970-71), he received one of the nation’s highest medals for valor, the Bronze Star. He would also be awarded the Army Commendation Medal for heroism. There is credible evidence that Ed should have been awarded a Purple Heart Medal for wounds he received in a helicopter crash in which he was one of only two survivors. He would crawl through the jungle to get aid for his more seriously injured comrade. Ed declined the medal for reasons of personal integrity. Integrity was a key factor throughout his life.
When Ed was discharged from the Army in 1971, he returned to his old job at the mill. Knowing what a skilled and reliable worker he was, Diamond Match Company had saved his job. After changing hands, the mill closed in 1998. Ed retrained as a crane operator, but the job kept him away from family. He soon found the perfect career as custodian at Superior High School. More than a custodian, he was carpenter, mechanic, engineer, handyman and up for any challenge required. He was greatly loved and respected by staff and students alike. Ed would live to see some of the students become teachers in Superior.
There are many chapters in Ed Heppe’s amazing life. In 2005 he was initiated into Masonic Mountain Lodge 110. He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason and served in every position within the lodge including the title, Worshipful Master, which means that he was in the leadership role as Master of the lodge.