Our uncle, Eddie Hein, spent most of his life in Forsyth, Montana, except for the years he worked in Casper, Wyoming, at Rocky Mountain Pack while attending night classes at Casper College to earn his mechanics degree, and the time he served in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged in 1966, which was when he met his future wife, Pearl Krueger. They married on July 15, 1967…a day they always cherished as the happiest of their lives. Their marriage was blessed with two children, Larry Hein and Kim Arani, and three grandchildren. One of those grandchildren, Destiny Hein, was born on Eddie’s birthday, creating a unique and special bond between them. They were best friends for the rest of his life. It’s so hard for me to believe that Eddie has been in Heaven for just over six years now.
On my first trip to Forsyth, Montana, with my husband and Bob Schulenberg’s family, I was introduced to his 
relatives there, including Uncle Eddie, Bob’s uncle and his dad’s half-brother. That initial visit turned into an annual tradition for many years. We loved those trips, always feeling warmly welcomed. Eddie was a quiet, soft-spoken man with a big heart, who made everyone feel accepted. His big smile and contagious laugh were unforgettable, and he truly loved to laugh. I will always miss his smile and his kind, generous nature. There was never the formality of calling Eddie and Pearl “uncle” and “aunt” since they were close in age to many nieces and nephews. Although we hadn’t seen them as often as the years went by and the grandparents went to Heaven, it was always nice to know Eddie was there. Then, suddenly, six years ago, he was gone. It was and still is such a shock to me. He had always seemed so vibrant and full of life.
On October 16, 2019, Uncle Eddie suffered a heart attack while working in his yard. Despite the efforts of friends, neighbors, his wife Pearl, and their grandson Dalton, it was too late. Eddie passed away, but his memory will live on with his many friends and family. Eddie was a kind man with a heart of gold, always willing 
to help those in need. He loved vintage cars and had his own 55 Chevy that he thoroughly enjoyed. It wasn’t just the cars either, because he loved old tractors too. The people of Forsyth, Montana, knew Eddie well. He was a friend to everyone, always offering a wave as he drove by. Eddie was known as someone you could always count on, no matter the situation. Whether it was a smile, a hug, a wave, or a helping hand, Eddie was there. Someone once said Eddie was one of God’s great ones, and I couldn’t agree more. Today would have been Eddie’s 82nd birthday. Happy birthday in Heaven. We love and miss you very much.
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