One of the founders of Erie steelhead program left a legacy behind

One of the anglers who helped to bring the steelhead fishery to Erie County has died.

Robert “Bob” Lee Hetz died Feb. 23 in his Fairview home. He was 87.

Ron Dombrowiak, president of the 3CU Trout Association, believes Hetz helped to raise about 4½ million fish over the past 56 years. The 3CU is a cooperative trout nursery with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and supplements what the agency stocks in the region.

Hetz was one of the partners who helped change the stockings several decades ago from salmon to steelhead trout in the area.

“That’s a big thing now,” Dombrowiak said, as the steelhead attract anglers from many states and countries to Erie.

“I met him in the mid-1980s while stocking trout. Anytime you wanted information or help with something, he would do it,” Dombrowiak recalled. “If you made a phone call to him, he would take care of it.”

Another fisherman who developed a friendship with Hetz over several decades remembers Hetz’s dedication to raising fish for the public to enjoy.

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“Everyone should know that Bob Hetz was one of eight founding members of 3CU (fish cooperative nursery) in 1966. Those forward-thinking individuals created the beginnings of what is now the best steelhead fishery in the country and possibly in the world,” Marty Grzasko, former president of the Pennsylvania Steelhead Association, said.

“But Bob was much more than that. For the last 25 years, Bob was 3CU. As his founding brothers passed away, Bob never despaired or hesitated and gladly took on all the aspects of running the largest fish cooperative in Pennsylvania,” Gzasko remembers.

Hetz spent countless hours raising fish through the 3CU cooperative.

“He became the raceways manager, the prime fund-raiser, the doctor to his fish babies when they became afflicted with disease and more. He faithfully made sure the raceways were clean and free of obstructions to stream flows and insured vital aeration to the fish during low oxygen periods. Bob conducted all the 3CU stocking operations in the westside tributaries, sometimes by himself,” Gzasko recounted. He also served for several years on the Lake Erie Advisory Committee of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.

Dombrowiak recalls the dedication to raising fish from June through the spring each year. “I never saw him mad or upset. He fed fish every day including holidays, Christmas, everything.” Hetz was also known for removing litter and trash along the waterways.

Hetz received many honors over the years including the Ralph W. Abele Conservation Heritage Award by the Game and Fisheries Committee of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on Oct.18, 2012.

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The honor is the highest recognition awarded by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to a citizen who has made outstanding contributions to the conservation and enhancement of Pennsylvania's aquatic resources.

"Bob was a very integral part in beginning the steelhead fishery here in Erie. During a period of salmon fishing, he provided the insight to see the lasting benefits that the steelhead could provide Lake Erie and the Erie region," Mark Haffley, biologist and port captain for the Fish and Boat Commission, said. "Never has one man given so selflessly of his time and talents for the resources of Pennsylvania. Although Bob has passed, his legacy will live on in 3CU and the fish they will continue to provide for the anglers of Erie, Pennsylvania."

In his spare time, Hetz conducted fishing derbies for disabled veterans by stocking an impoundment that he created with trophy steelhead and brook trout. The veterans were bused to the location from the Pennsylvania Soldiers & Sailors Home in Erie.

He also stocked various ponds with steelhead and brown trout for children and provided prizes. “One pond was in Girard Park that became weed-choked over time. Bob got permission from the Fish Commission to stock the pond with grass-eating carp that were certified sterile. The weed problem was solved, and the fishing for kids continued,” Grzasko said.

Hetz also supplemented the Fish Commission stocking of the Fairview Gravel Pit with trophy brook trout, brown trout and rare blue steelhead.

“Most of all, Bob was a fine family man who loved his wife, children and grandchildren. He also cared deeply for the environment and the community where he lived. Thanks Bob,” Grzasko concluded.

Funeral arrangements are being handled through the Edder Funeral Home in Girard where visitation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday and the funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 1645 West Eighth St., Erie, PA 16505; or 3CU Trout Association, c/o Mike Felege, 3621 Shauna Ave., Fairview, PA 16415.

Brian Whipkey is the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at bwhipkey@gannett.com and sign up for our weekly Go Outdoors PA newsletter email on this website's homepage under your login name. Follow him on Facebook @whipkeyoutdoors ,Twitter @whipkeyoutdoors and Instagram at whipkeyoutdoors.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Lake Erie steelhead fishing with 3CU and Pa. Steelhead Association