Theodore B. Heggen Jr. (1921-2010)

HEGGEN, EPPERSON, CLARKE, BERGLAND, ESPE, YOCUM

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 1/23/2010 at 10:41:44

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Friday, January 22, 2010.

Theodore B. Heggen Jr., 88, died Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010, of myelodysplastic syndrome at his home in Las Cruces, N.M. A graveside celebration of life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 10, at the Ames Municipal Cemetery, with visitation to follow at the Elks Lodge.

He was born April 13, 1921, in Ames, to Theodore B. and Fannie (Epperson) Heggen. He graduated from Ames High School and began college at Iowa State College. His college education was interrupted by World War II where he served in the Army Air Force. He completed Army Air Force Bombardier School at Midland Army Air Field and was commissioned to active duty Jan. 15, 1944, at the age of 23 years. He was stationed in England from June to December 1944, flying 35 missions with the 410th Bombardment Squadron, 94th Bombardment Group. He was honored with the ETO Ribbon with three Battle Stars, the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was honorably discharged in October 1945. He returned to Ames and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Iowa State College, graduating in 1946. In 1950, he began working at James Thompson and Sons as a bookkeeper and warehouse clerk. He retired as president of James Thompson and Sons and Story Construction in 1984. He stayed on as chairman of the board of directors of James Thompson and Sons and Story Construction until April 1986. During his long career the company built many landmark buildings in Ames and on the Iowa State campus, including the first high rise dormitory in Ames, Spedding Hall, Hilton Coliseum and the Veterinary Medicine complex.

Ted married Zuma (Betty) Clarke in August 1947. They had two daughters, Judith and Jane Heggen. They divorced in 1978, and Ted married Emerald Bergland in 1981. Ted and Em retired to Las Cruces, N.M., in 1986. He and Em remained very active until the last few years of his life enjoying, tennis, golf, motorcycle trips, pitching horseshoes and playing bridge. He was an accomplished musician playing both the clarinet and saxophone. He loved big band music and played in bands during his college years. He continued to play with friends from Ames after the service. After moving to Las Cruces he played with both the Mesilla Valley Concert Band and the New Horizons Band. He also organized and played with a small jazz band where they volunteered their time playing at local nursing homes. If you spent the evening with Ted and Em you would be treated to a gourmet meal accompanied by the sound of big band music, and if lucky, a dance with Ted around the kitchen or saxophone solo by Ted.

Ted is survived by his loving wife, Emerald Heggen; his daughter, Dr. Judith Heggen, and son-in-law, Bruce Espe; stepdaughter, Miriam (Mark) Yocum; stepson, David (Shelley) Bergland; stepson, Dan (Shelly) Bergland; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jane; brother, Don; and his parents.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 E. Montana, Las Cruces, N.M., 88005, or to your local hospice in honor of Ted.

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