Anna Monica / L’Observateur / January 26, 2000

After tennis the other day, I “had lunch” with Donald Heltz, a Garyville native I grew up with in my teen-age years. Well, actually, I just stood there with himin Delchamps, sampling the Lance crackers and cookies he was displaying.

Since I knew him well I wasn’t embarrassed to have several samples. Donaldhas been with Lance since 1962 and has plans to retire in March of next year. Meanwhile, he continues to display the same enthusiasm and dedicationto his job he always has.

A sales rep for Lance, Donald has been in sales for almost 42 years, first starting with the old Star Bakery in Garyville where he worked in the shop and on the road. He worked as part of management for Lance for five yearsbut decided he liked it better on the road and went back to his old route where he sells to stores, sweet shops and anybody that has a business.

Now a long-time resident of Reserve, Donald and wife, the former Roline Boudreaux, have five children, Donald, Kevin, Aimee, Rachael and Tracy. Sofar his brood has produced five grandchildren, whose pictures he proudly shows. Two more are on the way!Donald was one of nine children born to Richard Heltz and the late Clara.

From what I remember, the Heltz kids were always a good, hard-working bunch. Most locals can remember and easily picture Donald as he traveled hisroute in his truck, with always a friendly wave or conversation.

In addition to his work, though, Donald makes time for volunteer work as much as he can. He is a member of the St. Peter’s Council and the Lions Cluband believes he does as much as he can at this time.

There was a time Donald really got involved, and that was to make sure the Heltz name on the street in Garyville that had been named for his great, great grandfather was preserved. “They were naming the streets,” he says,”and I had to make sure the name stayed the same out of respect for my ancestors.”Donald has had the same route, from LaPlace to Belmont, for all these years.

He really likes that because he says he “meets a lot of people and they usually are in the same place at the same time,” and that continuity adds an aspect of enjoyment for him in his work.

Now, though, Donald anticipates his retirement from a job that has given him much satisfaction, one that has enabled him to educate his children and look forward to a future. There are plans for he and Roline to enjoy thegrandchildren even more, travel and include what Donald calls “doing a lot of ins and outs.” After all these years, the Lance route just won’t be the samewithout him. I just wish I knew where his next display will be.

Back to Top

Back to Leisure Headlines

Copyright © 1998, Wick Communications, Inc.

Internet services provided by NeoSoft.

Best viewed with 3.0 or higher