Hi, I’m Chuck Heitz. Shirlee and I moved to Big Lake in 1974. Our daughters grew up in Big Lake and
graduated from Big Lake High School. During our time in Big Lake, Shirlee and I were very involved in all
aspects of the city. I taught Industrial Technology for 36 years and was a member of the city council for
26 years. Shirlee has been an area Broker/Realtor for 37 years and was the founding President of the Big
Lake Chamber of Commerce.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am married to Shirlee, we have two daughters -Angie and Missy – who gifted us with 4 beautiful grandkids. Luna is 20, Milo 19, Cohen 18 and Harlow is 8.
Q: How long have you lived and/or worked in Big Lake?
I started teaching in Big Lake in 1970. We lived in St. Cloud at that time prior to moving to Big Lake in 1975. In August of 2021, we sold our Big Lake home and purchased a townhome in Monticello. I’m still a Hornet at heart!
Q: Tell us about your current, past, or future career.
I graduated from the University of North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree and received my Masters at St. Cloud State University. I began teaching at BLHS as an Industrial Technology teacher -at that time it was called “Shop” in 1970. I taught for 1 year and was then drafted in the US Army. I had a 2-year commitment and spent the second year in Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division. Thankfully, I was able to return to my teaching position at BLHS where I continued teaching until I retired in 2006.
Q: Have you ever had a nickname? What is it and why were you given it?
I do not have a nickname as such….but depending who I am hanging with, it could be Chas -my wife, Charlie -my softball team, Heitzer -my golf and teacher buddies or Mr. H from some of my former students.
Q: What is your favorite TV Show, Movie, Book? (Please list as many as you’d like!)
I enjoy John Sanford, Brian Freeman, Harlen Coben, and TJ Box books. I like watching Chicago PD on TV, and any and all movies. I love going to the movie theatre, getting my popcorn and soda, then watching good -or bad movies. I try to watch as many of the Oscar nominated movies as possible during the year.
Q: If you could only eat one food/meal and have one beverage for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Pizza along with a large Coke
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies or pastimes?
I love playing golf, riding my Harley and spending time with my family and friends.
Q: What is one thing on your bucket list?
I’ve had a lot of great traveling experiences with Shirlee, and we hope to continue our travels for many years.
Q: What would you buy/do if you won the lottery?
: First, I would give the person who sold me the ticket $1 million. After that I would take care of both of our families and donate a good portion to Cancer research.
Q: What has been a challenge you have had to overcome? (Life, School, Work, etc.)
With my dad working for a construction company, we constantly moved to different job sites in different cities. I lived in 7 states. 38 different cities and went to 18 different schools during first through twelfth grade. It was very difficult to make any long-term friendships.
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I would have loved to have been taller!
Q: Who has been a hero in your life?
My wife Shirlee is my hero. What she has accomplished during our marriage has been amazing, being a fantastic mom as well as working full time. She became a Realtor in 1986 after working as an office manager for a local dentist. She worked hard and became a very successful Realtor: she was chosen as Minnesota Realtor of the Year in 1999-2000. She was a N Metro Association President, on the Board of Directors for the MN Association, served on the National Association Board of Directors, and served on numerous committees both at the state and national level
Q: What is something even your family and friends may not know about you?
During my tour in Korea, every Saturday morning I taught English to the Korean soldiers that were attached to our company. In return, they tried to teach me some Korean but I did not do well.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment?
I have a few! Being the first in my family to achieve a college degree. Being elected to the Big Lake City Council for 26 years. Developing the BLHS Industrial Tech program that was chosen as Industrial Technology program of the year in Minnesota in 2005. Our program was then chosen as one of the top 16 programs of excellence at the national level.
Q: What are a few of your favorite businesses / restaurants in Big Lake?
I enjoy El Loro, Lake Café, McPete’s, Trails, Third Rail and Big Lake Hardware.
Q: What is one of your favorite things about Big Lake?
Small town feel located within 35 minutes of Minneapolis and St. Cloud.
Q: What advice would you give to people living in Big Lake?
Big Lake has so much to offer with the lakes, trails, and park system. It’s a great place to bring up your kids or grandkids.
Q: Who is an interesting person in our community that you’ve met and deserves to be included in The Faces of Big Lake project?
Shirlee Heitz, John Bruns, John Muir, Joan Zimmerman and many more teachers I started teaching with at BLHS.
