The family of Louis Heckert – the 92-year-old “father of Grand Lake” who was attacked by a moose Sunday as he walked to church – has asked doctors to discontinue medical care.
On Thursday, Heckert’s son Chuck said the family will move him to hospice care from St. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver.
He declined to give further details on his father’s medical condition. The decision came after a brain scan showed no improvement.
“There was really no change,” said Chuck Heckert, who had traveled to Grand Lake on Saturday to celebrate his father’s birthday.
The next morning, the elderly man, who suffers from macular degeneration, apparently walked straight into the injured and aggressive 800- pound bull moose as it strolled down the town’s main street.
Heckert was rushed to Denver by ambulance and diagnosed with a severe brain injury.
“We are very appreciative of all the prayers, well wishes and concern we have received,” the family said in a statement.
“His medical condition, due to his injuries, has resulted in our decision to honor his wishes and medical directives and discontinue medical treatment,” the statement said.
Chuck Heckert said the decision is what his father – who left instructions in a living will – would have wanted.
Fiercely independent and known for his tap-dancing and bowling, Heckert is now immobile and semi-conscious.
“It isn’t even his life,” Chuck Heckert said. “It isn’t the lifestyle he would have wanted.”
Wildlife experts say moose attacks in Colorado are rare, unless a mother or her young are threatened during the summer calving season.
“A direct attack by a moose on a human, this time of year, is almost unheard of,” said Gene Schoonveld, a retired Division of Wildlife biologist.
“They are very inquisitive animals,” said Schoonveld, who led the moose reintroduction into Colorado in 1978. “They are very docile for the most part.”
Schoonveld investigated the only other known instance of severe injury by a moose in Colorado in North Park.
In July 1993, a cow moose trampled 48-year-old June Leverett while running after a calf.
Leverett, like many who’ve had close encounters with moose, was walking her dogs off-leash, Schoonveld said.
“The dog got between the cow and her calf,” he said. “I don’t think the moose ever knew she was there.”
Staff writer Marsha Austin can be reached at 303-820-1242 or maustin@denverpost.com.
