Obituary of HECK, Mr. Robert G., Racine, WI Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives January 25, 2002 by Bob Heck ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Robert G. Heck.... Age 86, passed away Thursday, August 17, 1995, as a result of an automobile accident. Mr. Heck was born in Racine, May 9, 1909, son of Robert Steven and Margaret (nee: Henningfeld) Heck and had been a lifelong Racine resident. Robert attended St. Patrick, St. Joseph and St. Catherine's High School. On June 29, 1935, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann Mikel with whom he celebrated their 60th anniversary this year. He was employed by Walker Manufacturing for 43-1/2 years, the last 32-1/2 years as a Supervisor, retiring in September of 1971. Mr. Heck was very active in athletics all his life. His compassion for youth surfaced in his younger years when he put together youth softball, baseball and basketball teams for the benefit of under privileged youngsters. He also served as President of the Old Timers Athletic Club for six years, two years as Vice President, seventeen years as a Director and charter Member in the support of youth athletics. He also served as President of the Old Timers Sunday Softball League for eighteen years and served as President of the Wisconsin State Baseball League for three years. Mr. Heck was elected Alderman of the seventh district in 1955 and won his seventeenth term in 1985. Mr. Heck served as "Acting Mayor" from April 13th through April 17th, 1981 during "Robert G. Heck Week." During his tenure in office he served as President of the Common Council in 1962, 1975 and 1980. He also served on the Common Council Finance Committee for 14 years of which six were as Chairman. He was Chairman of the Councils for Public Safety and Buildings Committee. Other City Council activities included: The Mayor's Executive Committee, Vice Chairman of the Transit and Parking Commission, Racine County Advisory Committee on Aging, Traffic Commission, Community Development Committee, Commission on Human Rights, President of the Racine Board of Health, Chairman of the Common Council Redistricting Committee, the Senior Citizen Commission of the City of Racine, and numerous other committees. He was a member of St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church where he served as an Usher and a member of the Senior Citizen's Club. He served as a member of the Finance and Parish Council of his church. He was also a member of the Jolly Times Club. Mr. Heck was a life member of the Moose Lodge 437 of Racine, where he served as Governor for two years. He received the highest degree the National Order of the Loyal Order of Moose can bestow on a member, the Fellowship Degree and Pilgrim Degree. He was a member of the Legion of Moose and served as Vice President of the 2nd District of the Wisconsin State Moose Association. He was Director and Volunteer for the Tex Reynolds Toys For Tots program, the Northside Revitalization Committee, American Association of Retired Persons, Racine Zoological Society, Businessmen Association and the Racine Yacht Club. He was a charter member of Walker Local 85 of the United Auto Workers. On November 1, 1986, Robert was honored by the citizens of Racine with the dedication of the Robert G. Heck Park. Survivors include his wife, Mary; three sons and daughters-in-law, Gary (Carol) Heck of Westminster, SC, Robert J. (Gloria) Heck of Greendale, Wis., Donald G. (Sharon) Heck of Racine; eight grandchildren, Cindy (Dennis) Landrum of West Pelzer, SC, Lee Heck of West Allis, Wis., Traci and Jodi Brack of Racine, David Heck and fiance, Judi of Greenfield, Wis., Bill (Tracy) Heck of Franklin, Wis., Steven Heck of Groton, Conn., Amy Heck and fiance Adam of Racine; three great grandchildren, John and P.J. Landrum, Laina Neal; brother, Alvin (Bernice) Heck of Racine; two sisters-in-law, Frances Heck and Otilia Mikel; nieces nephews, other relatives and many dear friends. He was also preceded in death by daughter-in-law, Joan Auterman Heck; three brothers, Harold, Clarence, and Edward; a sister, Bernice (Edward) Bark; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Lydia (Harvey) Nelson, Bohumil (Eloise) Mikel. Due to renovation at St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, August 22, 1995, 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Erie and St. Patrick Street with Rev. Thomas Lijewski officiating. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, Highway 32. Relatives and friends may meet with the family Monday from 4 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home with a Moose service being held at 8 p.m. Memorials to St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church have been suggested by the family. Maresh-Meredith Funeral Home 803 Main Street 634-7888 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material must obtain written consent of the author/ contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The contributor has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access.