David M. Heskett

Heskett David M., 84, chairman of the board emeritus and former chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer of MDU Resources Group, Inc., died Sunday, April 6, 2003 at his home in Bismarck, ND, from complications of a broken hip. Services will be held at 11 AM Friday at Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Bismarck, ND, with Fr. Thomas Kramer, celebrant. Burial will be held at 10 AM Saturday at Resurrection Cemetery, 2101 Lexington Ave, Mendota Heights, MN. No visitation will be held. David McCartney Heskett was born June 4, 1918 in Duluth, Minnesota, the son of Rolland McCartney and Mary Glynn Heskett. The family moved to Minneapolis in 1924. David attended schools there and graduated from Blake School. He attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology and received his degree in engineering. Mr. Heskett worked for Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. gas department construction and maintenance crews during his summer vacations while attending college. After graduating he began working for the company as an engineer in the gas department in Baker, Montana. He left MDU to serve in the armed forces in World War II and returned in 1946 following his service in the Army and Navy, where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant. He continued to work for the company in various capacities until 1952, when he moved to Tucson, Arizona and was employed by the Tucson Gas and Electric and Power Company. Mr. Heskett returned to Minneapolis and MDU in 1962 as assistant to the president and was elected president and chief executive officer in 1965. He was elected chairman of the Board of Directors in 1978. Mr. Heskett retired as chief executive officer on July 1, 1980. He continued to serve as chairman of the board until August of 1983. It was Mr. Heskett who was largely responsible for moving the company general office from Minneapolis to Bismarck in 1968. David married Margaret Lee Moss in Annapolis, Maryland on December 5, 1942. They were the parents of three children. Mrs. Heskett died in 1969. David married Margaret V. Doyle from Chokio, Minnesota on September 3, 1971. He and Margaret made their home in Bismarck until his death. Mr. Heskett was past president of the North Central Electric Association, a past director of MDU Resources Group, Inc., The Masonite Corporation, Great Plains Legal Foundation and the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and a member of Pacific Coast Gas Association. In Bismarck, he served on the Boy Scout Executive Board, St. Alexius Hospital Lay Board, and the YMCA Board of Trustees, and was a member of the Elks. Mr. Heskett served the University of Mary on their Board of Regents. He holds an honorary doctoral degree from the University of Mary. Mr. Heskett enjoyed travel and after his retirement he traveled worldwide. He continued to keep up with company and community events, lunching regularly with his many friends. He is survived by his wife, Margaret; his children, David Jr. & wife Ginger of Ashville, ND, Robert of Chicago, IL, Susan Mitchell of Minneapolis, MN; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Peggy; one brother, Bob; and two sisters, Jean and Mary Lou. The family prefers memorials be made to National Multiple Sclerosis Society (Dakota Chapter, 2801 Main Ave., Fargo, ND 58103) or Alzheimer's Association (Minnesota- Dakota Chapter, Comstock Center, 4357 13th Ave SW, Suite 203, Fargo, ND 58103).

Published on April 9, 2003