Robert Heft: Modern Day Betsy Ross Lives In Napoleon

When Hawaii became our fiftieth state in 1959, it added the fiftieth star to "Old Glory," and Napoleonite Robert G. Heft had the honor and distinction of creating America's newest national flag.

Bob Heft shaking Johnny Carson’s hand.

Bob was a junior in high school in Lancaster, (Fairfield County) Ohio, when he had to complete some selected project for a belated history class project. He followed national politics very closely and theorized that by admitting only Alaska as our 49th state would tip the national political balance. He figured that the politicians would more than likely add another state (Hawaii) to give an even political balance.

He made a cloth flag that took 12 1/2 hours and cost $2.87. The project failed to impress his teacher and awarded Bob the grade of a B

because he said it "lacked originality." After almost two years of writing the Governor of Ohio and his United States Congressman, Bob was successful in his project. President Eisenhower phoned Bob in Lancaster to inform the young man that he had selected his flag as the nation's newest banner.

After spending three days as an invited White House guest with the President, Bob hastily returned to his home in southcentral Ohio and confronted his history teacher about a grade change. The teacher admitted that he had no other choice but to change the grade. He admitted, it no longer "lacked originality."

Bob went on to finish his educationat Ohio University in Athens and Ohio State University in Columbus. He became a high school history and government teacher. He always admonished students to never give up, and to be persistent and complete started projects.

Bob left teaching after six years, hoping to return to it someday. He moved to Napoleon, Ohio, to operate the theaters for Jack Armstrong.

He has traveled to 38 of the fifty states and told his amazing story to over 2 1/2 million listeners. He has a humorous way of telling a most interesting story. He has visited with three United States Presidents, appeared on many nationally televised programs, and toured Viet Nam with the Bob Hope Show. He has appeared with such stars as Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Johnny Cash, James Brown, and Frank Sinatra.

He selected Napoleon as his new home because of its beauty, rural setting, and the friendliness of its people. Bob stated, "I was born in a small town, lived in a small town, and I guess I just like small towns."

Bob was raised by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. William Sheldon Schromme in Lancaster, Ohio, after his parents were separated. He has 12 brothers and sisters who live in Michigan.

Mr. Heft is single and has resided in Napoleon since late 1972.

Submitted by Robert Heft