Robert Lee Hetz

Robert Lee Hetz, 87, of Fairview died on Thursday February 23, 2023 at his home. 

He was born January 20, 1936 a son of Arthur Leroy and Geraldine Ruth (Elwinger) Hetz. 

Bob grew up in Fairview, PA graduating in 1954 from Fairview High School. He graduated from West Virginia Wesleyan College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. After college he was inducted into the United States Army, and served honorably at Fort Detrick, Maryland.  In 1960 he married June and settled in Fairview where Bob returned to work in the family business, Fairview Evergreen Nurseries, Inc., which was founded by his grandfather, the late Frank C. Hetz. He worked at the nursery until his retirement in 2001.

A true man of the outdoors, Bob is renowned for his dedicated volunteer work hatching, rearing, and stocking trout. In 1966 he co-founded 3-C-U Trout Association, which has worked in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to stock local streams and Lake Erie with over 5 million trout and steelhead for sport fishing. He spent countless hours in all kinds of weather caring for the fish and collected and recycled aluminum cans to purchase fish food and supplies. The club sponsored fishing derbies for the Boy Scouts, the Erie VA Medical Center, the Erie Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home, Harborcreek Youth Services, Lawrence Park Youth Services and others. He was the recipient of many awards for this tireless and lifelong work. He was a member of the Fairview United Methodist Church, many local sportsman’s clubs, Trout Unlimited, and served for several years on the Lake Erie Advisory Committee of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his brother, Teddy Hetz; nephew, T.J. Hetz; brothers-in-law, Ken Vollmer and James McDonald.

He will be greatly missed by his family which include his wife, June (Smith) Hetz, their four children, Kurt Hetz (Marge), Kara Hetz, (Timothy Bryan), Kraig Hetz (Jennifer) and Kim Cullen (Stephen); ten grandchildren, Emily Hetz, Katie Hetz, Olivia Shine, Cleo Shine, Tyler Hetz, Jordyn Hetz, Jessica Hetz, Lynne Cullen, Liam Cullen and Pierce Cullen; sister, Mary Lou McDonald; sisters-in-law, Shirley Hetz and Joan Vollmer; and many cousins, nephews and other relations.

Bob will be remembered for his sense of humor, his love of cars, music and movies, his love of animals (especially fish and cats!) and for his dedication to his family. He left the world as he lived it, on his own terms. His spirit will be missed by his family and all who knew him. The family thanks Heather Hinz for her compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 1645 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505; or 3-C-U Trout Association, c/o Mike Felege, 3621 Shauna Avenue, Fairview, PA 16415.

Friends may call on Thursday, March 2, 2023 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the Edder Funeral Home Inc. 309 Main St. E. Girard, a Funeral Service will be held there the following day Friday March 3, 2023 at 10:00 am. 

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