Roscoe Vernon Heins

local dentist well known for his charitable work in Kitsap County, died January 22, 2009 at age 91. He was born in Corder, Missouri, on September 15, 1917, the youngest of three sisters and four brothers. After his mother died, Roscoe's oldest sister, a newlywed at the time, began to raise him at the age of three. He lived his childhood in Ruskin, Nebraska, population 200.At age 17 he entered the University of Nebraska, his education there was put on hold in 1943 when he joined the service as an Army Air Cadet and volunteered for bomber school after basic training. Boarding a new B-24, he and his nine fellow crew members made stops in Florida, Trinidad, Brazil, and North Africa before they reached their home base in Norwich, England. From Norwich they performed 16 bombing missions over Nazi Germany and occupied France. His crew was then transferred to a base in Italy where they flew an additional 16 missions over Romania, Hungary, Austria, and Germany. On those missions, Roscoe bravely served as gunner in the ball turret position, famously known as the "suicide seat". In the fall of 1945, Roscoe returned to the University of Nebraska where he met Helen Abdnor. After graduating from the School of Dentistry in 1949, Roscoe traveled to Seattle by train with one suitcase, his dental instruments, and $200. While conversing with a Seattle dental supply salesperson, he learned of the need for a dentist in Poulsbo. He made his way to "Little Norway" where he met Bjarne Rindal, an owner of a building. Rindal showed Roscoe the vacant space upstairs next to physician Dr. John Almond. Thirty minutes later, these two strangers shook hands on a deal that included Rindal lending him money for the down payment. He quickly opened his practice in downtown Poulsbo.He returned to South Dakota to marry Helen on December 30, 1949. Lifelong friendships for the newlyweds began their first night in Poulsbo at a welcome party hosted by the Rindals and attended by the Leif Ness and Almond families. Roscoe's dental practice remained at the Moe Street location until his retirement in 1984. His patients always knew they would be provided with utmost professionalism, steadfast kindness and attention to detail. Helen, when not at home raising their three children, was at his side as dental assistant, receptionist and bookkeeper. Roscoe was instrumental in bringing fluoridation to Poulsbo's water supply in 1959, perhaps his proudest professional achievement.Roscoe had a passion for volunteering. He was a member of the Harrison Hospital Board of Directors for 27 years, serving as its chairman for three. He helped charter the Kiwanis Club of Greater Poulsbo, the Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce and the Poulsbo Yacht Club. He served on the North Kitsap School Board and as a lifelong Lutheran was member of Poulsbo's First Lutheran Church for over fifty years.A lifelong sports fan, he loved attending North Kitsap football and basketball games. He never missed a season from his first game in 1949 to his last in 2008. An avid Nebraska Huskers fan, he traveled to Lincoln one last time at age 90, greeting opposing fans as they entered the stadium. With his exceptional abilities to assertively strike a conversation with any passer-by, diligently study the stock market, or effortlessly name the location of any college, among countless others, Roscoe was a remarkable gentleman. He incorporated his early struggles, later achievements, and unwavering compassion to sculpt a full and prosperous life for himself, his family, and his community. He will be missed dearly by his wife Helen, daughter Lisa Ruecker, sons Cory and Derek, four grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.A memorial service will be held at First Lutheran Church in Poulsbo at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 31. In lieu of flowers, the family knows Roscoe would be honored to have memorials made to Hospice of Kitsap County (P.O. Box 3416, Silverdale, WA 98383-3416) or any of the organizations noted above.