Creator of First 50-Star American Flag Dies
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Robert G. Heft, who is credited with designing and sewing the first 50-star American flag, has died. He was 67.
Wakeman Funeral Home says Heft died Saturday at a hospital in Saginaw. A cause of death wasn't immediately available.
Heft made the flag in 1958 as part of a high school history project in Lancaster, Ohio. He spent more than 12 hours sewing the design on his mother's Singer sewing machine.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}President Dwight D. Eisenhower chose Heft's design to replace the 48-star flag.
Born in Saginaw, Heft left Michigan after his parents separated when he was about a year old. He returned after retiring from Northwest State Community College in Archbold, Ohio, where he was a professor.
Heft's death was first reported by WSGW-AM in Saginaw.