Behind the Lines: by David Heiller

Editor's note: This is by our dear friend, Marlana. She and her husband, Tony bought the Askov American from us in 2003. She wrote this for the readers of the Askov American, after David's death. David Heiller lived life like he played cards. He never held back and never had a card up his sleeve. What you saw was what you got. Dave started with his highest trump and played the high cards out as if there might not be another chance to play them. Straight-forward. Without reservation. Jumping to Daddy, and other games. “What are you waiting for, Mar? Why’d you hang on to that joker?” he’d ask me in disbelief as each card dropped. “You’re gonna miss your chance if you play like that.” Tony and Marlana, 2003. That’s how he lived his life. He didn’t save his living for another day. If something was worth doing, he’d do it. His family, writing, music, photography, camping, fishing, friends. He made sure he fit it all in. Neatly. With planning and purpose. Dave’s l...

David Heiller Sometimes pays to procrastinate. Andrew Larson pointed that out to me or Monday morning. Andrew is our graphic design worker. I had told him on Friday that my story about the lack of snow hadn’t quite been written yet. “I’m procrastinating,” I told him, Andrew seemed to admire my honesty, and admitted that he was pretty good at doing that to He had a bit of pride in his voice. Yes, it does lurk in the male psyche, So I understood him, I think. “You were right about the story,” Andrew said after greeting me M o nday morning. I gave him my usual dull look, and responded with “Huh?” “The snow!” he said. “Oh right, right,” I replied with a slow smile. This was David's last column. I chuckle to myself, I don't think this is one  he would have wanted to go out on...  This is one of my last pictures of David,  taken on a snow-less Christmas Eve  hike in Beaver Creek State Park. Later that winter hard snows came while I was alone and cau...