OBITUARIES - 8/24/18

Aug. 1, 2018

Donald Ray Heldt

Don Heldt, 81, of Portland, OR, died on May 11.

Heldt last played in the 2013 Winter National Championships with the Karousel Kids 75 (NY).

Born in Toledo, OH, Heldt graduated from the University of Toledo, served in the U.S. Air Force (1955-1960), and played one season with the San Diego Chargers in the 1960s.

Additionally, Heldt competed in the Senior Olympics from 1998-2004 in track and field. He moved to Portland in 2017 to be closer to family.

Thomas D. Burns

Thomas Burns, 62, of Fontana, Calif. died on Aug. 10.

Burns, a longtime member of the Nighthawks (CA) 55 and 60 teams, was a member of SSUSA since 2007.

"Thomas was well loved by all his teammates on the Nighthawks, as he as a great teammate and a great person," said Don Newhard, manager of the Nighthawks. "He was intense in a good way.  He often said that he didn't come to a tournament for second place, he came for a ring.  As a player, he was a combination of a high average hitter and he also had tremendous power.  He was also a gold glove at third base.  He was fearless,and would challenge hitters to hit it his way.  He did this in a fun, friendly way that opponents respected."