George Ernest "Ernie" Heegard

George Ernest “Ernie” Heegard, age 89, of Audubon, PA, formerly of Chester County, PA, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, April 14, 2024. Ernie was born in Salem, NJ on May 5, 1934 to the late George and Margaret (nee Dunn) Heegard. He graduated from Tredyffrin/Eastown HS in 1952 and Millersville University in 1956. He taught Industrial Arts at Haverford HS for 37 years. Ernie was drafted into the US Army in 1960 and at the end of basic training was honored as the “Soldier of the Cycle.” He served our country in the Counter-Intelligence Corps for 2 years.

Ernie was very active in the Boy Scouts of America, joining in 1946, and earning his Eagle Scout at age 15. He became the Scoutmaster of Willistown Troop 78 at age 21 a position he held for 42 years. Ernie was the Camp Director of Chester County Council’s Camp Horseshoe for 29 years and had camped there every year since 1946. Ernie was tapped out for the Order of the Arrow in 1950, and became a Vigil Honor member in 1956. He was the first boy Chief of Octoraro Lodge #22 and later was the Lodge Advisor for 28 years. Over the years, he received dozens of Scouting accolades such as: the District Award of Merit, the Silver Beaver, the Founders Award, the BSA NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, the Centurion Award, and in 2019, the Chester County Council BSA Distinguished Citizen of the year.

Ernie is survived by his wife Mary Elizabeth “Betsy” (nee Kessler) Heegard of 39 years; 2 stepchildren: Frederick “Fred” Stelwagon (Linda) and Marjorie “Margie” Stelwagon (Shawn Matthews); 2 grandchildren: Jacob Stelwagon, and Lauren Stelwagon; and 2 sisters: Joan Bechtel of Newville PA, and Nancy Jones of Kansas City, MO.

Family and friends are invited to attend a service on Sunday, May 5 at Lower Providence Presbyterian Church, 3050 Ridge Pike, Eagleville, PA. Visitation is at 1pm and the funeral service will be at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Friends of Willistown Troop 78, or Camp Horseshoe (www.tr78.org/); or Lower Providence Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements entrusted to Szpindor-Meyers Funeral Home

Condolences may be made by visiting www.MeyersFh.com