Obituary of David Al Hieb

David Al Hieb, born on July 8, 1950, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on December 28, 2018. He was 68 years of age. Born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, to Orvin and Alice (Aman) Hieb. He moved to Duluth when he was 7 years old and remained here until his death. He graduated from East High School in 1968 and played baseball there and at The University of Minnesota and UMD. He was a drummer in a band called "Friday's Children" and also played the acoustic guitar and harmonica. Music was one of his life's passions. He was drafted during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Fort Dix, New Jersey, where he helped process military personnel returning from Vietnam and transition them back into civilian life. This experience led to his life of helping others by teaching and getting his MSW in Social Work. He spent 30 years working in the Duluth School District, half of that time as a third grade teacher at Grant Elementary School, and the other half as a social worker from pre-school Head Start up to the high school level. Previously, he had experience working at the Human Development Center, Arrowhead Juvenile Center, and Bethany Crisis Shelter. Helping students and their families was something he loved doing.

David was an adventurer, explorer, and photographer. He traveled the world photographing animals in the wild. He climbed the Matterhorn Mountain, camped all over the USA and in the Boundary Waters every year with his best buddies. He canoed, kayaked, wind-surfed, snorkeled, skied, snowshoed, biked, rollerbladed, skydived, and was quite the outdoorsman.

David and his wife, Pamela (Chatfield) Fritch-Hieb built their dream home together and celebrated 20 years of marriage this last July. He gained two step-children, Amber (Brian) Costello, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA and Aaron Fritch, Duluth, MN, along with being grandpa to Caden, Kylee, and Conner Costello and Abigail and Dominic Fritch.

Six years ago brought a huge change in David's life due to spinal cord surgery. It took away a lot of his abilities to do athletic endeavors. He didn't let this stop him from enjoying life. He worked hard to learn to walk and drive again. He was able to continue golfing (which he loved), gardening, cooking, traveling and playing with his grandchildren. Although it was difficult, and he was in pain every day, he did it with grit and determination and always with a smile on his face.

David was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, and special uncles, aunts, and cousins.

Besides being survived by his wife, step-children, and grandchildren, David is also survived by sisters, Karla (David) Slovick, Denver, CO, Karen Rogge, Cottage Grove, MN, and brother, Daniel Hieb, Seattle, WA, special niece, Jill (Jeremy) Scheere along with daughter, Gwen, Denver, CO, special nephews, David (Meghana) Slovick along with daughter, Tenley, and son Keanu, Anoka, MN, Joey (Arin) Slovick along with daughters Elaina, Arabella, and Faith and sons Astin, Freewin, Charlie, Leighton, and a new baby due in April, Minneapolis, MN, and Brian (Jessica) Rogge, and son Aiden, Minneapolis, MN.

Visitation: 2 -4 p.m. with a service at 4 p.m., Friday, January 4, at the Cremation Society of Minnesota, 4100 Grand Ave, in Duluth.