Rudy Hetu

I first met Rudy Hetu around 2003 when I was dispatched from Finning field service out to his small sawmill operation north of Smoky Lake where I met his son Daniel, his daughter Corrine and his wife Joanne who ran the cook shack. Rudy had 2 feller bunchers with operational concerns. I addressed those issues quickly for him and he was satisfied. On a later visit to this site Rudy and I were enjoying working together more and I immediately started observing his good hard-working nature. Often, he would share those wonderful little pieces of advice that we all can appreciate coming from someone with many years of experience in his craft.
I recall attempting to reseal a swing drive in his Cat feller buncher where I tried to salvage some used parts in a bone yard he accumulated on the lease. I remember distinctly damaging the swing gear shaft while attempting to cut the old bearing off with a torch. I was so upset with myself however Rudy saved my bacon and was not that concerned at all, I just recall him giving me a jokingly hard time about it and pulling out another used part from the bone yard and performing the same task without flaw. I appreciated his talents and it was more like I was learning from him.
In the later years as Rudy and his family continued with the logging business, he would hire me for at least one day in the fall to tune up his equipment. I looked forward to this time of year with the Hetu’s each year. As we would work, we would discuss all topics between Cat equipment and casual politics, we would have some good laughs and learn along the way.
My mechanic career with Finning took me to Kelowna BC in the later years but Rudy and I would still find time for a telephone call every so often where we would catch up and share stories. One that stands out was his dedication to Finning and that he attributed Finning Cranbrook Branch for giving him the opportunity of a lifetime in his early years. Rudy being a very hard young worker got the contract from the local Sawmill to harvest a large area of lumber, but his equipment was at a disadvantage being old and problematic. He noticed the Cranbrook branch having had a brand new 225 feller buncher on the front lawn of the dealership. Rudy made an appointment with the sales manager at the time and said that he needed that buncher but had no capitol or money to buy it. Being in a small town and different times, the Finning sales manager contacted the mill and asked if Rudy had the contract and they replied that he did, so that moment Finning and Hetu logging shook hands, not on paper, that his contract pay would cover the machine cost, and it did.
Which business now adays does this, all on trust? Ever since Finning awarded him some trust so did Rudy in return as he became a loyal Customer for all the years to follow.
On our visits I would bring up as much Finning/Cat swag as I could to share it with the Hetu’s -- even on visits to Athabasca outside working hours. We were able to have this special relationship which I’m sure most people who knew Rudy would relate.
I was able to visit Rudy even into his later years in the hospital until he sadly passed on June 18, 2026.
What warms my heart is that one of the Cat pullovers that I gave Rudy during one of my tune up visits was what the family decided to have him wear during his cremation as they mentioned it was his favorite.
My sincerest condolences to the Hetu family. May he rest in peace and perhaps we will visit again someday.
Michael (Mike) Fyk
Finning Field Service

Uncle Rudy,you will be deeply missed,you are one of a kind.
Your stories,your adventures, it was always fun to be around you.
Always a good story,or joke,or adventure,especially going out to work and some of the places we've traveled to,and had crazy fun.
Never a dull moment.
I just want to thank you, Aunty Joanne and family,for letting me start my logging career in golden, while working with my dad(best memories).
Letting me stay with you,and auntie Joanne always making sure we had way too much to eat,and take care of our needs.
Learned so much about logging,equipment and life.
Laughing and smiling writing this.
Great memories.
Thanks again to both of you.
Ps good stories mixed with just a little bit of bullshit lol
That was my uncle Rudy,
Rest in peace.

I knew Rudy he spook french my husband Albert Charbonneau and I Suzie in 1976 came to Cranbrook BC from Quebec. Albert became friends with Rudy and also work for him as a faller for many years. I Suzie became friend with his wife Johanne. We had many good time together as friends. What I remember of Rudy he was kind,generous,friendly and a great family man.