Keith Edith Heffner
October 6, 1939 - November 5, 2005
Long time Alaskan resident, Keith Heffner, passed away at home Saturday, November 5, 2005, with his family beside him. He was 66.
Keith was born Oct. 6, 1939, in Jackson, Mich., and moved to Alaska on July 4, 1974 with his wife, Shirley, and their three children. They lived the Alaska experience in Willow in 1975 in a log house without electricity or running water and heating only from their wood stove. That is the reason they came to Alaska — to experience Alaska.
They moved to Talkeetna, and Mr. Heffner worked in Anchorage, coming home on weekends until he took a position as custodian at Susitna Valley High School, where Shirley was the secretary and the children finished their high school years.
In 1982, the family moved back to Anchorage, where Mr. Heffner worked for Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. until April 1999. In 1996, they moved to Cooper Landing, while he was in the process of retiring from Alyeska. He retired for three months and went back to work, working under his own contracts and later working for the Arctic Slope Regional Corp. In 2004 he left ASRC because of his health.
Mr. Heffner received the Governor's Special Achievement Award from Gov. Tony Knowles for outstanding achievement in the Field of Safety and Health in March 2000 and was proud of this special recognition.
"Words are futile in describing Keith and his positivend caring impact he had on everyone he came in contact with. Keith was an intelligent and caring person with such a great sense of humor. He excelled as a fly fisherman and outdoorsman and was a perfectionist in everything he attempted. Keith was extremely proud of his marriage of 47 years to his childhood sweetheart, best friend and confidant, Shirley, and his children and grandchildren," his family said.
His tour of duty in the Marines was something he was always proud of, and he never ceased to talk about how "tough" the Marines are.
Keith was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret V. Heffner of Jackson.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley; son and daughter-in-law, Maurie and Velvet Heffner of Sterling; daughters and sons-in-law, Vicki and John Street of Anchorage and Valerie and William Deaver of Auburn, Wash.; grandchildren, Kyle, Shelley and April Heffner of Sterling and Jessica and Rebecca Street of Anchorage; brother and sister-in-law, Alan and Debby Heffner of Jackson; sister and brother-in-law, Janet and August Barbrick of Tucson, Ariz.; and father, Paul Heffner of Jackson. He was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret V. Heffner of Jackson.
Visitation will be held November 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Evergreen Memorial Chapel in Anchorage. A funeral service will be held at at 9 a.m.,Thursday, November 10, at Evergreen Memorial Chapel, 737 E. St. in Anchorage. Graveside services will follow at 11 a.m. at Fort Richardson Cemetery.
Flowers are welcome, and donations should be made to the Renal Care Group, 3950 Laurel St., Anchorage, AK 99508.
George Heywood
What a shock about the news of Keith and to be taken at such an early age. Couldn’t believe it when I first read it as I am 91.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family
George Heywood
Cathy Girard
It's kind of ironic that Keith Heffner's updated obituary popped up in my in-box this morning because I have been reflecting on what constitutes "leaving a legacy." At this point in Alyeska's history, 99% of TAPS don't know Keith Heffner's name; however, Keith character, wisdom, and commitment to TAPs employees underlies a foundation that has been built since oil-in in 1977. Keith and I had only a few years of overlap by the time he retired, and as a field person I didn't cross paths with him in Bragaw very often; however, people show you who they are just by being themselves. How did Keith leave me with an impression that he had my back when I worked 800 miles from him? No cell phones, no social media, no Teams video calls, no meetings together, no social function, no nothing. Maybe it was because others spoke so highly of him. Maybe it's because when things went sideways no one got hurt on his watch. Maybe it was because the Safety Dept was highly respected. I don't know what it was but as an impressionable late 20's/early 30's newbie at the coolest place to work, I knew that the head of corporate safety believed in sending me home safely.
Whenever you wonder if you make a difference, please remember Keith. Remember that you make an impression with every interaction and your basic demeanor. You can't control how people perceive you but you can control how you show up. Thank you for being one of the many teachers in my lfe, Keith. You didn't even know you were doing it.
Dave Norton
What an excellent commentary Cathy. Keith was indeed what you observed, and your recollections as an impressionable newbie are food for thought for all of us, for Keith and all the others who made a mark.
James McIntyre
I remember Keith. Seems like only a few years ago that Keith left Alyeska. 1999, really? Time flies.
Mike Smulski
I worked for Keith. He was a great supervisor.
Keith was also a friend. Taught me about ice fishing. He was a good friend and a good man. Gone too soon.