Robert G. Heft: 1942-2009 - Creator of 50-star flag was teen in Lancaster

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Robert G. Heft made the flag as part of a school project. He received a B-minus on it.

Robert G. Heft, the "Betsy Ross" of America's 50-star flag, has died.

In 1958, a history teacher assigned Heft and his classmates at Lancaster High School to each redesign the national banner to recognize Alaska and Hawaii, both nearing statehood.

Heft, who was 16 at the time, crafted a new flag from an old 48-star flag and $2.87 worth of blue cloth and white iron-on material.

His creation earned him a B-minus. Heft's teacher later changed that grade to an A after Heft's flag was sent to Washington, D.C., and selected by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Replicas of Heft's original flag still wave today. He died yesterday at a hospital in Saginaw, Mich., at age 67. His cause of death was not immediately available.

Heft was one of thousands to submit a flag design with alternating rows of five and six stars. But apparently he was the only person who actually stitched together a flag and shipped it to D.C.

His design became the official national flag in 1960.

Born in Saginaw, Heft joined his grandparents in Lancaster after his parents separated when he was about a year old. He returned to Saginaw after retiring from Northwest State Community College in Archbold, Ohio, where he was a professor. He also served as mayor of Napoleon, Ohio, for 20 years.

Heft worked as a motivational speaker in retirement, sharing his flag-making success story. His inspiring tale connected him with people around the world.

"He didn't let his notoriety become him," said Rodney Wakeman, a friend of Heft's and co-owner of the funeral home in Saginaw handling Heft's arrangements, which are pending. "He was a very down-to-earth individual."

Wakeman described Heft as approachable and kind.

"When you first look at Bob, you wouldn't think this was the man who designed our 50-star flag, but once you listened to his story, you couldn't help but be in awe," he said.

Heft never married and had few relatives, so he treated friends like family.

"I'm very proud to say that I was one of his friends," Wakeman said. "All of his friends will surely miss him."

T he Associated Press contributed to this story.