Fred Heitke
2005 Louise Whitbeck Fraser Award Recipient
Fred Heitke has a record of volunteerism and loyalty to Fraser that is matched by few. He came to Fraser in 1952, and much to everyone's delight, has stayed 53 years!
Fred met his wife, Jean, in 1937 and they married in 1940. They had two children, Jean Ann and Jim. Jim had a seizure and suffered brain damage when he was only 18 months old. They took him to a doctor who said that they should institutionalize him. That was unacceptable to Fred and Jean who continued to care for him in their own home.
As Jim got older, it became more difficult to care for him. The Heitkes moved to Minneapolis in hopes of finding resources to help. Almost miraculously, Jean saw an ad for Fraser School in the newspaper. They hoped desperately that they would be able to enroll Jim.
They went to visit Fraser School and, according to Fred, it was one of the most wonderful experiences he's ever had. He couldn't believe that anyone would offer to help care for, not to mention educate, Jim. But Fraser did, and in so doing, gave Fred and his family a new lease on life. Jim attended Fraser School (which in those days was kindergarten through 12th grade) from 1952 to 1965.
At that time, parents volunteered doing all of the physical labor around the school themselves — everything from sweeping to remodeling. Fred was motivated to help because the more the parents rolled up their sleeves, the more kids they could serve. Fred says that he has never met anyone like Mrs. Fraser. She never turned down a single family who wanted to enroll their child.
Together with other parents, Fred established a board of directors to help with the business side of the organization. He was one of the first six incorporators and served on the operating board for 18 years. He remains active with Fraser through the corporate and honorary boards.
Fred has probably participated in more Fraser fundraising activities than anyone, from turkey raffles to social dances to formal galas. Today, at age 88, he still attends the Fraser annual benefit and plays 18 holes in the golf tournament.
Fred says that he has been involved for so long because he is grateful for the way that Fraser changed his life. He wants to do all that he can to assure that Fraser will be here to serve children and adults with disabilities, and their families, for many more generations.
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