Roger Finley Heegaard

Heegaard, Roger Finley born April 24,1927, peacefully passed away in his home Sunday, July 2, 2023 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by loved ones. He had a long and well-lived life, always aiming to be a good and decent human being. Over the course of his 96 years he witnessed enormous changes in the culture and life patterns that surrounded him. His response was to be curious, to seek to understand, and to land on the side of openness, inclusivity and love. He endured a lot of heartbreak, but never became bitter and instead focused on being grateful for the many blessings in his life. He was socially and politically active, coming down on the side of supporting human rights, dignity, and justice. He was generous, financially supporting causes and social services he believed were helping to create a better world. As he grew older, unlike many, he became less attached to the ideas of his youth and happy to embrace the diversity of human experience. He was adventur-ous, willing to try new things, think new thoughts, and take risks. He was stubbornly independent, and sometimes got grumpy, but never for long. He had a great sense of humor, and laughed the most at himself and his own terrible jokes (which of course, made everyone else laugh more as well). He had no enemies. He loved his family deeply (both nuclear and extended), his friends (many lifelong), travel- ing, playing cribbage, being at his cabin, relaxing in a hammock, gardens and garden- ing, DQ milkshakes, visiting the Arboretum, talking to his grandkids, hanging out with his brothers, discussing politics, eating chow mein, going to the Original Pancake House with family or friends, giving financial advice, following the stock market, reading, watching movies with his wife, and so much more. In sum, he loved and deeply appreciated being alive. He was preceded in death by his parents Dorothy Goddard and William Roger Heegaard; siblings William G, David B, John C, and Peter A Heegaard; first wife Eleanor Thompson Heegaard, and most of his friends. He is survived by his beloved wife, Marge Eaton Heegaard; daughters Karen Heegaard (Chuck Legros) and Julie Heegaard; son Bill (Kristyn) Heegaard; Stepsons Jim Eaton, Jon Eaton (Jenne Baldwin- Eaton), and Mike Eaton; Grandchildren Jon Eaton Jr, Lynndsy Eaton (Monica McDaniel), Alex Heegaard- Legros (Julia Winkles), Leighton Heegaard, Zoé Heegaard-Legros Jagai (Kat Jagai),and Sophia Heegaard; Great-granddaughter Phoenix McDaniel; sister-in-law Anne Heegaard, and many beloved nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at the Lakewood Cemetery Chapel on August 11, 2023 at 10:30 am. In Lieu of flowers, Donations in his memory can made be to: Friends of the Boundary Waters friends-bwca.org/donate/ or NAMI/National Alliance on Mental Health donate.nami.org Washburn-McReavy.com Davies Chapel 612-377-2203