Our Story
Built on Hard Work, Integrity, and Quality
Built on Hard Work and Heart
My grandfather wasn’t the smartest man by the world’s standards—he struggled in school and often fumbled his words. But what he lacked in academics, he made up for with grit, determination, and an unwavering work ethic.
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When the Great Depression hit, he sold jars of worms by the side of the road to help his family make ends meet. At 18, with the country in the throes of WWII, he joined the Navy, where he trained as a dental lab technician. He loved working with his hands and helping people—two things that defined the rest of his life.
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​After the war, he married my grandma and moved back in with his parents. Through hard work and countless late nights, he scraped together enough to start his own dental lab, eventually turning it into a successful business. Along the way, he and my grandma raised three sons—a doctor, a lawyer, and a pastor.
When he retired, he moved to the Pacific Northwest to be closer to his grandchildren. Never one to sit still, he bought an RV and began traveling to Mexico, donating his time and skills to provide free dental care for children and their parents.
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My grandpa and I shared a special bond. We spent countless hours together, building and fixing everything from dog houses for Ginger to jewelry for Mom. He taught me the value of hard work, the power of honesty, and the importance of doing right by others.After celebrating 50 years of marriage, he was diagnosed with ALS. It was a devastating loss, but his legacy lives on. At his funeral, people lined up to share stories of how he’d touched their lives.​
I am who I am because of him. The lessons he taught me—sacrifice, perseverance, and integrity—are the foundation of everything I do. They’re the values I strive to pass on to my children and the principles Hero Fence is built on.
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He will always be my hero.
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Daniel Elzinga
​Owner, Hero Fence