Melvin G. Heidt

Melvin George Heidt, born May 23, 1929, passed away Wednesday morning, June 5, 2013. Melvin (Mel) was born in Sugar City, Colorado to Elizabeth and Henry Conrad Heidt. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Marjorie Ruth, infant daughter Jana Ruth, parents, brothers and sister, Edward Heidt, Ernest Heidt, and Freida Brown, as well as grandson Derrick Conrad Heidt. He is survived by daughter Diana Pearl (Mark) Martin, sons Kevin Lloyd (Debra), Philip Conrad (Brenda), Alan Maxwell (Stacy), grandchildren Brian James Heidt, Grant Gilbert Hogarth III, Robin Marie Blaise, Timothy William Heidt, JoLynne S. Heidt, Alison Nicole Heidt, Charles Elliot Boyce, Kaitlyn Michele Heidt, Marci Mikaelyn Heidt, great grandchildren Joshua Alan Blaise and Kylie Lynn Blaise, brothers Herman and Leroy Heidt and sisters Esther Osbourn and Miriam Powell.

Mel grew up on a farm near Sugar City. He loved the blue skies and endless fields that grew sugar beets, alfalfa and melons. Even as a young boy he loved a good practical joke. Throughout his life Mel’s sense of humor kept family and friends laughing. He graduated from Crowley County High School in 1948. After graduation he served four years in the Air Force and attended the University of Colorado.

Mel married Marjorie Ruth Armstrong on June 26, 1954. Working as a draftsman and technical illustrator at Martin Marietta, ARMCO Steel and Storage Tech he developed countless operator manuals. He also was an instructor for Seibel’s School of Drafting, a venture he and his friend Bob started as a service to disabled veterans of the Viet Nam War. Mel also was able to help many “at risk” youth at the school by teaching them a life-long profession. At home he was a real “Mr. Fix-It”. Mel could, and did, build or repair anything his family’s home required. He also spent countless hours creating birthday cards for everyone both Marge and he knew. Each card, illustration and verse, was as unique as the person receiving it. Over the years, those hand-made cards have become treasures for friends and family all over the country. Mel and his wife Marge loved to square dance. They belonged to several groups, even one that took them camping and dancing throughout the Rocky Mountains.

Spending time in the mountains, beside a lake, fishing was one of Mel’s life-long passions. He loved the quiet and beauty of the outdoors as well as the thrill of catching the “big one”. The gold Dodge truck and Aspen camper were always beckoning him to pile the family into the back for a drive to Steamboat Lake for a weekend of fishing and camping. As far as he was concerned the wheels hit the pavement far too little. Weekends often found him by his wife’s side helping a neighbor, friend or relative with whatever they might need. The two of them worked together to care for other’s home needs—she with the cleaning, he with the repairs.

When Mel’s health began to take away those trips to the mountains and his ability to make home repairs, he continued to wake up at the crack of dawn and read his daily newspaper, work on soduko puzzles, crosswords, and word searches. He loved growing tomatoes in the backyard as well as rhubarb and cucumbers. Mel’s sense of humor and sparkle in those baby blues were with him throughout his life.

Mel’s ability to find the “bright side” of life and his appreciation for everyone that touched his life will be missed by everyone who knew him.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Melvin G. and Marjorie R. Heidt memorial fund c/o First Bank 550 South Wadsworth Blvd. Lakewood, CO 80226