Ernest Richard Heimgartner (1935 - 2014)

Born 13 Aug 1935 in Compton, California, United States

Ancestors

Biography

Obituary

Ernest Richard Heimgartner passed away Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, at home after a long, courageous battle with melanoma cancer.

Ernie was born Aug. 13, 1935, to Ernest and Bertha (Wendt) Heimgartner in Compton, Calif. He moved with his father, mother and two sisters to Cameron in December 1941 because of his father's concern about the war and the attack on Pearl Harbor. He attended Cameron and Leland schools and graduated from Kendrick High School in 1954.

After high school, Ernie went into the housing construction business with Kenny Wolf. After a time, he started his own drywall business. Ernie partnered with Don Tuschoff at King Pin Bowling Lanes. In the early 1950s, they built the Salmon Bowl in White Salmon, Wash. They returned to Clarkston in 1965 and built Lancer Lanes Bowling Alley initially, and later added a restaurant, bar and miniature golf course. Later, on his own, Ernie designed and created Hillview Recreational Vehicle Park.

On June 5, 1965, Ernie married Donna Smith of White Salmon, Wash.

Ernie's love of the river started in the late 1950s and continued until his death. His passions were the rivers, fishing, boating and sharing the beauty of the wilderness with others. He was always the perfect host.

Ernie met Floyd Harvey and began running boat excursions up into Hells Canyon. He became very interested in stopping the building of more dams. He guided many famous personalities, including Burl Ives, Arthur Godfrey and Interior Secretary Walter Hickel up the river - anyone who would help their cause.

Ernie's love of fishing and boating inspired him to create Heimgartner Trailer Systems with his patented boat trailer loading system, the "Backpacker."

He was one of the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley's premier bowlers and an avid golfer. He was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church, The Moose, The Elks, Clarkston Country Club and Hells Canyon Boat Club during his lifetime.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Irene Schwarz and Mildred Silflow.

Ernie is survived by Donna, his wife of 49 years; beloved dog, Buttons; son, Jim and wife Crystal Smith; grandsons Cory and Shaun Smith; brother-in-law Harold Silfow; sister-in-law Charlotte and husband Dick Wurth; sister-in-law Sandra Smith; niece JoAnn Perkins and husband Jim; niece Susan Spencer and husband Bob; niece Kathy Garland and husband Gary; and many other nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, 1115 13th St., Clarkston.

Donations may be given to Our Savior's Lutheran Church or Helping Hands Organizations.

Please sign the online guest book at merchantfuneralhome.com.

Now, dear Ernie, you will be fishing other waters. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ http://lmtribune.com/obituaries/article_e20c1b79-5f75-50c2-b45b-d199a04e4e05.html

• "California, Birth Index, 1905-1995," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VG4B-YH8 : accessed 2 January 2015), Ernest Richard Heimgartner, 13 Aug 1935; citing Los Angeles, California, United States, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacramento.