 |
Last update: July 13th, 2022 - 6:30 AM |
|
|
Memory of
Floyd Arthur Heidelberger Sr.
|
September 18th, 1927 - April 20th, 2022
|
|
|
Passed away at the age of 94
(Date of birth may be in question)
|
 |
Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush, I am that swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die. |
|
| |
 |
Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush, I am that swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die. |
|
|
It is with deep sadness that I report the news of the death of my father.
He will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends.
|
A Celebration of Life
Will be held on October 23rd, 2022
North St Paul, MN
at the American Legion Post 39
12:30 through 3:30 pm
More details coming soon.
|
He came this way but once. Yet, he touched my live in many ways while he were here.
|
Click to Listen To The Music!
Vince Gill - Go Rest High On That Mountain
|
Floyd's Time Line in Photos & Newspaper Articles |
Newspapers Articles
from newspapers across the country!
|
The Courier-Journal Louisville, Kentucky 18 Nov 1928, Sun • Page 6 |
appeared in multiple papers across the country. |
The La Crosse Tribune La Crosse, Wisconsin 21 Nov 1928, Page 6 |
The Republic Columbus, Indiana 22 Nov 1928, Page 9 |
The Bristol Herald Courier Bristol, Tennessee 25 Nov 1928, Page 18 |
The Daily Chronicle De Kalb, Illinois 26 Nov 1928, Page 18 |
The Daily Times New Philadelphia, Ohio 30 Nov 1928, Page 13 |
The Times Herald Port Huron, Michigan 21 Dec 1928, Fri • Page 30 |
See Floyd's Blography & Sources
for more newspaper articles
1928-1934
|
|
 |
My father at the age of 16 year old. |
|
| |
Welcome Aboard This part is dedicated to my father service in ww2 aboard the USS ESSEX
My father lied about his age to enlist into the Navy.
The facts are that he was 16 going on 17 at the time.
Click a photo!
Links allow users to click their way from page to page. In some cases you will need to close a page before you can link to a second page.
|
|
 |
USS ESSEX CV-9 |
|
| |
 |
USS Essex CV-9 underway in the Pacific during World War 2. |
|
|
My father was aboard the USS ESSEX
as of June 3rd, 1944
WORLD
WAR
2
|
|
 |
November 25, 1944: The Kamikaze exploding on the USS Essex CV-9. |
|
|
 |
Essex received damage. A kamikaze hit the port edge of her flight deck landing among planes gassed for takeoff causing extensive damage, killing 15, and wounding 44. |
|
|
 |
*****************************60 Shipmates of my father's earned a Purple Heart that day - November 25th, 1944****************************** 16 of them lost their lives and were buried at sea. My father just turned 17 in '44. |
|
|
|
 |
Entering Ulithi Lagoon while returning from strikes on targets in the Phillipines, December 1944. Ships are (from front) Langley CVL27, Ticonderoga CV14, Washington BB56, North Carolina BB55, South Dakota BB57, Santa Fe CL60, Biloxi CL80, Mobile CL63, and Oakland CL95. Picture taken from Fantail of USS Essex CV9. |
|
|
The Role Of USS Essex In The World War II
|
 |
Brothers Cecil, Floyd & Donald Heidelberger 1946 |
|
|
 |
Marjorie (Age 16) and Floyd Heidelberger (Age 19) - Just Married |
|
|
 |
Floyd Jr. born March 12th, 1948 |
|
|
Floyd A Heidelberger Sr.
& Sons
|
 |
Floyd Sr & Ronnie |
|
|
 |
Floyd Jr, Floyd Sr & Ronnie |
|
|
 |
Ronald A "Ronnie" Heidelberger April 1949 |
|
|
 |
Floyd Jr. & Mother (Marjorie) June 1949 |
|
|
Minneapolis Star Newspaper Article |
Great Way to Start In Life! |
"$37.68 Split three ways."
|
I do not hold anything against my father he is my father. We all have stumble on our journey through life.
"When life gets you down, you know what you gotta do? Just keep swimming." - Dory in finding Nemo 2020.
''We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a little of each other everywhere" - Camp Merri-Mac 2011.
But I always have wonder what if, what if , that's is life. I'm just trying to tell the store of my father's journey through life from a son's perspective without sugar coating it.
|
My brother, my father's only other son.
|
Ronald "Ronnie" Heidelberger
April 24th, 1949 - September 24th, 1995
|
 |
Ronald A. "Ronnie" Heidelberger |
|
|
 |
Floyd, Dan, Ron, Wayne, The Ruggles Brothers |
|
|
 |
Ruggles Brothers |
|
|
Photo from 1955 Floyd Arthur Heidelberger Jr. - Ruggles March 12, 1948 , Ronald Allen Heidelberger April 24, 1949 - September 24, 1995, Wayne Fredrick Ruggles July 28, 1950 - February 5, 2017, Daniel Lee Ruggles Sr - July 31, 1951 - Auqust 27, 2020 and Michael Lennard Ruggles July 18, 1954 -September 26, 2017
|
Go in peace my brothers and remember you are not forgotten while I am still on patrol.
|
 |
My father Floyd Sr. and my son Mark in Las Vegas 2016 |
|
|
Facebook Postings!
From my brother Ron's daughter.
|
Today I have learned that my uncle Floyd Ruggles passed away I'm so RIP 
|
Arlene Armeli
Add Steve Russell to the list. Today is his birthday. He would be your 2nd cousin if I got that correct. What date did Sonny pass? My Dad always called him that. The list of remaining first cousins isn't looking too good. My condolences to the Heidelberger-
Ruggles-
Russell-
Schwartz-
Whitinger family.
|
Gloria Whitinger
Wow can't believe this my Nephew
.
Tabitha Heidelberger
to: Gloria Whitinger me either I just talked to him last month so sad not to many left in my family 
.
Gloria Whitinger
When did he pass are there funeral plans ???
.
Tabitha Heidelberger
to: Gloria Whitinger They say today I don't know
.
Gloria Whitinger
Who says this
.
Gloria Whitinger
Who told you he passed ??
.
Gloria Whitinger
Thank you for telling us this sad news
|
Arlene Armeli
We were supposed to get together soon to review the family tree research. It's a work in progress. RIP - Floyd.
|
Steve Long
I'm sorry for your loss, Tabitha. May God comfort you and your family and give you peace during this difficult time.
|
Mary Palmer
My sympathies to you and his entire family.
|
Mary Palmer
My sympathies to you and his entire family.
|
Floyd Ruggles
I apologize for my niece. She has a big heart but she is misinformed. I am alive and well. My father, Floyd Sr.. passed away this morning. Please take down this posting regarding my demise.
.
Tabitha Heidelberger
to: Floyd Ruggles OK good it's not you
.
Tabitha Heidelberger
What's my Grandpa's name
.
Your Grandfather's name was Floyd Heidelberger Sr.
|
Tabitha Heidelberger
to: Floyd Ruggles omg my Grandpa passed
|
"Ok good it's not you" or OMG "Oh My God" my grandpa passed.
Just doesn't cut it Tabitha. The next time just take a few moments to check out your facts before posting things on Facebook especially about a person's death. I am glad that I caught it within 2 hours of your posting. I could have easily missed it and not caught it for a week. I was in the process of preparing to go to Cancun, Mexico for my son's wedding at the time. Click Here I can't even imagine the hurt that you would have caused if one of my children or one of my grandchildred would have read your posting on Facebook before I actually spotted it. I also can't imagine the damage that you would have caused if your posting would have crossed over to one my other Facebook sites like my High School or my Military sites. Friends all over the country would have been misinformed and at that point it probably would have been impossible to stop it from traveling all over Facebook and the Internet.
You should be ashamed of yourself. Tabitha I think you owe others an apology for your posting that day. I know that you hurt others that day.
If you're wondering Tabitha why you didn't see this particular posting on Facebook?
It's because I don't believe in airing one's laundry on Facebook but it will become a permanent record on your grandfather's "which you didn't even know his name" memorial page. Next time think before leaping, that's how fake news is spread around the world so rapidly these days.
"I don't have to wait for an apoligy-or even an acknowledgement-in order to forgive my niece." She's forgiven....
P.S. I will post any apologies receive from my niece regarding this matter on this web page.
|
Facebook Postings!
From my sister in Las Vegas.
|
Barb Graen is feeling sad with Floyd Heidelberger.
April 20th, 2022
I am sorry to let my Minnesota cousins know that this morning your uncle Floyd Heidelberger passed away after a life well lived.
|
 |
Floyd Jr., Barbara, Norma, Patricia , Shirley & Floyd Sr. |
|
|
John Gindorff
I'm so sorry. He is so fun and had great story's
|
|
 |
Norma & Floyd |
|
|
Jodi Gindorff
I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I sure heard a lot of wonderful stories! Sorry for your loss. He's got a lot of great people up there, to welcome him home.  
|
Jeanne White
Barb, I'm so sorry to hear this. I remember when his wish was to move to Las Vegas and you helped to made it happen. He had many more years of love and laughter to fulfill.
|
Robin Pullen
So sorry for your loss, Barb.
|
Sharon Draeger
So sorry to hear of your loss Barb. I will keep you and your family in my heart and prayers.
|
Dee Bonn
so sorry for the family loss
|
| Donna L Stein
RIP 
Linda Thomas
My deepest condolences 
Joan De Souza
My deepest condolences 
|
Renee Gratz
Barb Graen I will sure miss uncle Floyd wish I could of come and seen him RIP uncle.
.
.
Carol Winkelman
Thinking of you & yours as you reminisce about Floyd’s life. Sorry for your loss 
.
.
Floyd Ruggles
Thanks for the great posting and pictures.
.
.
Marge Pacheco
RIP
.
.
Bonnie Hogenson Bouley
I'm glad he lived a long and happy life. He now joins all those waiting for him with open arms, I can almost hear the cards being shuffled as your mom and mine are hosting a 500 party in his honor. 
.
.
Dennis Comfort
Sorry for your loss.RIP
.
.
Sally Kline
So sorry to hear of Floyd's passing, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
.
.
Sandy Shirek
So sorry to hear this, the last of the greatest generation in our family is gone.
.
.
Elizabeth Zimmerman
Sorry for your loss Barbara
.
.
Carrie Gullickson Kitzberger
Thank you for letting me know. I have wonderful memories of Uncle Floyd.
.
.
Joanne Humphries
My heart felt condolences to the family. My father Porter Anderson and Floyd were on the same ship USS Essex CV9 in WWll together.
.
.
Barb Graen
Joanne Humphries I had conversations with him about the pictures you had given him, thank you for that.
.
.
Joanne Humphries
Barb Graen, I have more pictures of Floyd. I would be happy to send then to you if you would like.
.
.
Barb Graen
Yes please, bgraen@yahoo.com is my email
.
.
Joanne Humphries
Barb Graen , let me go through my Father's Navy photos and I would be happy to send them on to you.
.
.
Debra Hogenson
Barb I am so sorry for your loss. Floyd had an amazing life.
.
.
Alan Freeland
So sorry Barb 
.
.
Kim Vetter
Im so sorry for your loss. 
.
.
Elizabeth Brown
Now You are at Peace Uncle Floyd 
Soon You will be laid to Rest with Your Beloved Norma 
 Love Always Niece ElizaBeth Ann Brown.
.
.
|
Barb Graen is feeling nostalgic with Floyd Heidelberger
Love looking at memories of Christmas past, but I wish the grandchildren were not so grown up. The youngest grandchild Rebecca Jo Ochu is now 20, and the oldest Ashley Kline-elledge is 31. In this photo, mom is no longer with us and my beloved niece Wanda Duffy passed this year from Covid.
|
Deborah Shepard
They grow up fast. Nice family picture. So sorry to hear the news of your niece
.
.
Patty Belle Meagher
Beautiful picture Barb!   Sweet Memories.
.
.
Tabitha Heidelberger
Beautiful family   Merry Christmas 
.
.
Herman Bell
Wonderful memories. Shows Facebooks potential!
.
.
Barbara Brumby Fisher
The blessing of facebook memories! One of the reasons we share things...so much better than our own brownie camera photos  
.
.
Sharon Draeger
I'm so sorry to hear about Wanda. Hugs for you guys. I hope you all have a merry Christmas and good new year. 
.
.
Gary Judy Broden
I have not seen Alex fora long time. how is he doing. Becca was always a joy. merry Christmas to all of you.
|
| Tabitha Heidelberger
RIP GRANDPA
.
.
Angela Harrington
Sorry for your loss
.
.
Joy Hogsett Satter
So sorry
.
.
SkipandPenny Geiger
Sorry for your Loss
.
.
Brittani Hedtke
Thinking of you and your family in this time of loss. Know I'm here for you if you ever need someone to talk to 
.
.
Casper Nelson
I'm sorry for your loss.
.
.
Amber Tidgwell
I'm so sorry for your loss 
.
.
Erich Fritz
Sorry for your loss
.
.
Kip Brown
Rest in peace uncle Floyd love you and miss you.
|
Click to Listen To The Music!
If Tomorrow Never Comes By Garth Brooks
|
|
 |
****************** Norma & Floyd Heidelberger ******************* Love is the most beautiful thing there is in the world. |
|
| |
Norma Mae Heidelberger
Heidelberger, Norma Mae Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother Age 88, passed away on February 14, 2008. Survived by Floyd, the love of her life and husband of 50 years; daughters, Patricia Meagher and Barbara Graen; grandchildren, Sheryl Wolf, Wanda Duffy, Todd Snyder, Denise Ochu and Maryjo Kline; 7 great-grandchldren; 1 great-great- grandson. Preceded in death by daughter, Shirley Irene Duffy; brother, Rodney Tisdale. Norma received her nursing degree in 1957 and proudly served in that capacity for all of her working life. She was born and raised in Minnesota, but lived for many years in Florida, California and Nevada before retiring to Minnesota. Special thanks to the Princeton Elim Home for their compassion and care. A Celebration of Life will be held 2 PM Wednesday, February 20 in Holcomb- Henry-Boom Chapel, 515 Hwy 96 at Mackubin, Shoreview
Published on February 17, 2008
|
 |
Elizabeth Brown with Floyd Heidelberger - Now You are at Peace Uncle Floyd Soon You will be laid to Rest with Your Beloved Norma Love Always Niece ElizaBeth Ann Brown. at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. 2021 |
|
|
 |
Rodney G Brown Born: March 13, 1931 Died: September 27, 2001at the age of 70 BURIAL: Calvary Cemetery Saint Paul, MN Spouse: Audrey Ann Goering Brown Passed Away June 3rd, 2016 at the aged of 85 |
|
|
 |
My sister Barb & Floyd Sr. |
|
|
 |
No one has a perfect relationship with their parents. My father your step-father. We may have exchanged harsh words from time to time. We may have passed up opportunities to be with him. Forgive yourself, I have and realize that he was not a perfect person by any standards. I know you can’t believe he’s gone. He’s left our world behind and though he’s moving on his light will always shine for us. The love he gave us in his own peculiar way. I believe he always cared for us. His laughter, his humor and his pride that stinking Pride they he had will always inspire us to cast his fault aside. I think he would have said "Go after your dreams with all your heart!" Yes that is what he would have said and now though it seems that we’re worlds apart he has not gone away. His spirit still shall lift us all his smile will remain. Part of everything we see in our joy and in our pain. He will always feel our love we are forever blessed and as he watches from above we’ll try to do our best. RIP Dad |
|
|
 |
Floyd Sr. & Mark |
|
|
Floyd Arthur Heidelberger Sr.
September 18th, 1927 - April 20th, 2022
|
Click to Listen To The Music!
Home Free - How Great Thou Art
|
“I will live this day as if it is my last. …I will waste not a moment mourning yesterday’s misfortunes, Yesterday’s defeats, yesterday’s aches of the heart, for why should I throw good after bad”
I will live this day as if it is my last. This day is all I have and these hours are now my eternity. I greet this sunrise with cries of joy as a prisoner who is reprieved from death.
I lift mine arms with thanks for this priceless gift of a new day. So too, I will beat upon my heart with gratitude as I consider all who greeted yesterday’s sunrise who are no longer with the living today.
I am indeed a fortunate man and today’s hours are but a bonus, undeserved. Why have I been allowed to live this extra day when others, far better than I, have departed.
Is it that they have accomplished their purpose while mine is yet to be achieved. Is this another opportunity for me to become the man I know I can be.
"You only live once, but if you live right, once is enough."
|
Floyd Sr.
Last fishing trip!
|
My father's last fishing trip to Minnesta June 2021!
|
Elizabeth Brown with Floyd Heidelberger
Keeping busy in Minnesota June 2021
You Didn’t Have To
Thank you for what you did; You didn’t have to do it. I’m glad someone like you Could help Floyd Sr. to get through it.
I’ll always think of you With a glad and grateful heart; You are very special; I knew it from the start!
Poem by Joanna Fuchs
Thanks.... It meant a lot to my father
For All You Do
Thank you so much for all you do; You're truly a delight; When my life overwhelms and does me in, You make everything all right.
Poem by Karl and Joanna Fuchs
| |
 |
Floyd Arthur Heidelberger Sr visiting his mother's grave for the last time in 2021 with Elizabeth Brown & Brian Brown (Brother and Sister) |
|
|
|
Floyd's Biography
& More Photos
|
 |
Next Page |
|
|
|