SAGINAW, Mich — 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.

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.

we all going to die in one day

everybody wants to go to heaven

but nobody wants to go today

we've had that flag a long time. I think it's time for a new one

let's make Puerto Rico and Guam into states and have 52 stars

I thought puerto rico was a state? They get every single benefit any american gets and then some!

nahh they are a Commonwealth (Puerto Rico)

they have a vote every ten years or so as to whether to become a state or independence and they always vote to keep it the way it is

they have all the benefits of being a state AND a independent country haha

See ya' round th bend Dude!

Timing's about right seein's how left to BHO, we'd be using his flag.