Edgar F. "Hike" Heiskell, III, of Charleston, WV, age 76, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 20, 2016, after a brief, but courageous, fight with cancer.
Hike was a loving father, brother, giving partner, friend, phenomenal grandfather and brilliant attorney. Hike loved driving around in his 1994 Saab convertible with his Love, Jennifer Cunningham, and their Bernese Mountain Dog, Bella. He was a great chef and loved to prepare dinner for friends. His best dish was his own Bolognese. Those heart-warming occasions included entertainment by his other furry companion, Bistro. Hike was a true southern gentleman. He was charming, loved bowties, Harris Tweeds, espresso, and was known to all of his friends for his wonderful handwritten personal notes. Every year, he participated in the annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk. These Scottish events merged all treasures Hike loved – friends, heritage, culture, and dogs.
He had a passion for supporting WVU football and basketball, GW lacrosse, and playing tennis and golf. Nothing made Hike happier than witnessing his fourteen (14) grandchildren (Laurel, Rease, Shaye, Vivienne, Anna, Jason Jr., Juliette, Hannah, Hawthorne, Herschel, Hudson, Marshall, Tug and Phinn) interact with each other. His spirit lives on through them.
Hike was the first born to proud parents, Dr. Edgar F. Heiskell, Jr., and Barbara Jean Baker Heiskell in Morgantown, WV, on October 10, 1940, at Heiskell Memorial Hospital, which was built by his grandfather, Dr. Edgar Frank Heiskell. The day he was born, his father gave him the nickname "Hike." This name endured his entire life and became known statewide in 1971 on campaign buttons as "I Like Hike." At age 11, Hike became the catcher for the "Odd Fellows" little league baseball team, where he met his life-long friend Jerry Stone. His many friends at Morgantown High School often recall seeing Hike drive around town in his 1950s Austin Healey, that he purchased for the grand sum of $600 and regale the fun times they had when he played guitar for the "Bonnevilles" in college. Hike never lost his love for music, which ranged from Mozart to Bob Dylan, the author of his favorite song, "Forever Young."
He graduated from West Virginia University in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in political science and earned a Juris Doctor in 1966 from University of Virginia School of Law. After law school, Hike joined the USAF and became combat-qualified F-102 fighter pilot with the North American Air Defense Command and Air National Guard. He remained a licensed multi-engine, instrument rated pilot throughout his life and always credited his Air Force experience for making him the fearless lawyer that he was in the courtroom. His friends and colleagues often referred to him as the "Happy Warrior" and many considered him invincible.
After his stint in the military, Hike returned to West Virginia and became involved in politics. At the age of 32, he was elected Secretary of State of WV (1972) – the first Republican elected to that office since 1928. He was a Member Emeritus, of the National Association of Secretaries of State and former Chairman of the Committee on Election Reform. From 1987-1990, he was a member of the Republican National Committee, Republican State Chairman of WV and served on the George H.W. Bush National Steering Committee from 1980-1992. It was during that time, that Hike invited George H. W. Bush to attend a Young Republican conference in WV and had the honor of spending an entire day with the future 43rd President of the United States. Later in life, he became an Independent voter and most recently participated in the "Why I Vote" series with the WV Secretary of State's office.
Since the 1980s, he has been nationally known as a skilled attorney who was willing to take on difficult defect cases and win significant verdicts against Ford Motor Company, Toyota, and others and push the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration to take action to protect the rights of victims of defective automobiles.
These accomplishments pale in comparison to the pride and passion he felt for his five children who survive him: Christopher Neil Heiskell (Morgantown); Edgar F. "Skip" (Kathryn) Heiskell, IV (Morgantown); J. Ryan (Shaye) Heiskell (Pawleys Island, SC); Justin (Jennifer) Heiskell (Morgantown); Gretchen Heiskell (Jason) Darrell (Medina, OH).
He is also survived by Jennifer Cunningham (Charleston) whom he called the love of his life, many nieces and nephews, all of whom adored him, and his siblings: C. Andrew (Cynthia) Heiskell, MD (Morgantown); Jeffrey Neil (Marcie) Heiskell (McMurray, PA); Holly Heiskell (Hudson) Glenn (Morgantown); and Heather Heiskell (Brad White) Jones (Charleston). He was predeceased by his first wife, and mother of his children, Jerri F. (Deegan) McGrath; brother John Christopher Heiskell; father Dr. Edgar F. Heiskell Jr.; mother Barbara B. Heiskell; and favorite dog Ruff.
Hike's friends and family are all invited to a reception in his honor on Saturday, November 26th from 2:00-4:00, at Edgewood Country Club in Charleston and also a reception on Sunday, November 27th from 2:00-4:00 at the Hotel Morgan in Morgantown.
The family wants to express their gratitude to the CAMC Cancer Center and the Hubbard Hospice House; and all of their respective assistants; and a special thanks to Reverend Herman Jones.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that all gifts be made as a donation to either the Edgar F. Heiskell Jr. Memorial Lectureship or to the Kanawha – Charleston Humane Association at the following addresses:
Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center | Department of Surgery | P.O. Box 9238 | Morgantown, WV 26506-9238
Kanawha – Charleston Humane Association | 1248 Greenbrier Street | Charleston, WV 25311
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Snodgrass Funeral Home in South Charleston is assisting the Heiskell family with arrangements.
