Hietpas, Quentin Joseph died February 15, 10 days shy of his 94th birthday, after a three-year battle with Lewy-Body Dementia. While the disease stole much, he never lost his innate grace and courtesy. "Quent" was a husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, gifted professional, mentor, and teacher. He saw each of his children as his legacy. We are bereft but grateful for his long presence in our lives. Born February 25, 1931, Quent grew up in Little Chute, Wisconsin just across the Fox River from the paper mill where his father worked. In 1949, he became the first in his family to attend college, boarding a westbound train to attend St. Thomas College in St. Paul, Minnesota, an institution that would play a major role in his life - first as a student, then an alumnus, professor and, ultimately, senior vice president of development and external affairs. In 1953, he went on a blind date with Gretchen Froehlich but fell, instead, for her sister Sally who he married November 27, 1954. Together for more than 60 years, they raised seven children in an often- chaotic household that eventually grew to include treasured sons and daughters by marriage, 17 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren. Their life together was an adventure that started with newly commissioned First Lieutenant Quent and his bride leaving their wedding reception to drive to San Antonio, Texas through a near-blizzard to begin fulfilling Quent's military service requirement at Lackland Air Force Base. Two years later, they returned to Minnesota with their first child in tow and another on the way. Quent called St. Paul home for the next 69 years, welcoming five more children and becoming part of the large, loving, laughing and often loud clan of Froehlichs, Fleischhackers, Caswells and Flanagans. Quent wore many hats during his life. At one point, while working full-time in corporate communications and juggling the needs of his growing family, he earned a law degree nights and weekends from William Mitchell College of Law. He built a respected career in public relations at five major Twin Cities-based corporations: International Multifoods, Apache, Data 100, The Pillsbury Company, and Control Data. His work allowed him to travel the world and build deep connections with colleagues, many of whom became lifelong friends. In 1975, he added "professor" to his credentials when he became an adjunct instructor at his alma mater. In 1983, following a particularly eloquent recruitment pitch from Msgr. Terrance Murphy, Quent began "Act II" as Senior Vice President of External Affairs for St. Thomas College. He fervently believed in the power of philanthropy and over the next 18 years, oversaw capital campaigns that raised nearly $350 million, far exceeding their goals. After retiring in 2001, he continued as Senior Vice President Emeritus and consulted on a major capital campaign to establish the University of St. Thomas Law School. Quent served on many boards including Pentair and Dorn Communications and was a Trustee of the Saint Paul Seminary and Viterbo University. In 2001, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the University of St. Thomas and was named University of St. Thomas Alumnus of the Year in 2002. In 2017, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Saint Paul Seminary. Quent was known for his generosity, infectious grin, work ethic, problem-solving and faith. He was a gifted storyteller and speechwriter, avid reader, and accomplished traveler. He and Sally often visited the North Shore, but their adventures also took them much farther afield. They often traveled to England and Italy and meticulously planned "family and friends" trips to the Netherlands to honor his Dutch heritage. He paddled the Northwest Territories with his son Paul and grandson Ben, completed the Superior Hiking Trail, ambled coastal walks in England, hiked in the Black Forest, and trekked fjords in Norway. Don Traxler, a friend of more than 50 years, accompanied him on many of these adventures. During the last six years of his life, Quent and Don were neighbors at Carondelet Village, where the pair regularly walked the hallways after daily Mass. He will be profoundly missed by his sister Ramona (Diane Knight); children Sara Gavin (Tom), Susan O'Neill (Jim), Margaret Endres (Tom), Tom Hietpas, Ellen Bettenburg (Dan) and Paul Hietpas (Tanya); grandchildren Ben, Erin (Paul Imon Pedtke), Ryan and Anne Gavin (Riley Scherer); Danny, Joe and Sara O'Neill; Matt (Mona) and Kevin Endres; Quentin, Paige and Henry Hietpas; Emily Hietpas (Chris Jopp) and Wini, Grace and Jack Bettenburg, as well as great-grandchildren Oliver and Lucy Endres and Sally, Sam and Hana Imon. He also will be dearly missed by his Fleischhacker and Caswell nieces and nephews. As his children, we hold fast to the belief that Quent is reunited with his wife, Sally; son, David; grandson Michael Endres; parents Henry and Emma; parents-by-marriage Paul and Sara Froehlich; niece, Mary Lou Fleischhacker; and many in-laws who were also dear friends, including Mary Ann and Rich Fleischhacker; Gretchen and Seldon Caswell; Paul Froehlich; and Ron and Bev Flanagan. We have no doubt that a large contingent of pets also were present. In his last few years, Quent was supported by a team of gifted, compassionate caregivers who brightened his world and ours. We are beyond grateful to Estela, Lisa, America, Matt, Maria and niece Ann Walters for their support and expert care. We also thank Don Traxler who visited our dad nearly every day. Fittingly, Dad peacefully passed on to his next adventure during one of Don's daily visits. We are also deeply grateful for the support and guidance provided by Our Lady of Peace Hospice, especially by Cathy Kramer, his nurse case manager. Memorials preferred to University of St. Thomas Law School or Our Lady of Peace Hospice. A visitation will be held from 4-7 pm on Monday, April 14 at O'Halloran & Murphy, 575 South Snelling Avenue , St. Paul, MN. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, April 15 at Assumption Church, 51 Seventh Street West, St. Paul, MN with a visitation one hour prior. A private interment is planned. O'Halloran & Murphy 651-698-0796 www.ohalloranmurphy.com