ROBERT E. HECK

April 17, 2013
SOUTH BEND - Robert E. Heck, 87, of Naples, FL, died April 17, 2013. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Eve, who passed away on December 18, 2004. Formerly of South Bend, IN, he had been a Naples resident since 1968.

A graduate of Washington High School in South Bend, he played football for four years and was honored to be placed in his high school Hall of Fame. While at Purdue University in Lafayette, IN, he played first-string football for all four years and earned both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Academically, he attained the status of "Distinguished Student" at Purdue.

At the end of his senior football season, in 1948, he married his beloved wife, Eve, December 16th, and they proceeded on their honeymoon to Alabama where he played in the Blue-Gray Game. Their honeymoon continued for 58 years. After graduation, Robert was invited to play in the college all-stars vs. a professional team at Soldier's Field in Chicago.

A proud veteran of WW II, Robert served in the U.S Marine Corps, participating in five campaigns aboard the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Monterey.

While at Pearl Harbor, HI, he entered a boxing tournament, won the heavyweight title, and was presented the championship trophy by former president Gerald Ford. Robert was chosen to return to the U.S. to become an officer in the Marine Corps and was assigned to the V12 Program at Purdue. He played professional football for the San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Hornets, and the Toronto Argonauts. While playing for the Argonauts, he was called back into the Marine Corps at mid-season. He played football for the Quantico Marines where he finished the season before going to Korea in 1950. He was selected to play on the All Star Marine Baseball Team against a Japanese team in Tokyo Stadium. He then served in Korea and received two Purple Hearts and a Letter of Commendation with Combat V for outstanding courage in action. While recuperating at Great Lakes Naval Hospital, he assisted as a defense counselor. He was discharged with the rank of Captain. Robert went on to play pro baseball in Yakima, WA.

His professional endeavors included work in personnel management at AVRO in Toronto, Canada, where he served as Director of Recreation. He was a teacher and head football coach at Rochester, Peru and Mishawaka High Schools in Indiana. In Naples, he filled the following positions: Assistant Principal and teacher at Naples High School, Director of Personnel and Recruitment for Collier County Schools, and co-coach of Naples Pal Gators with two National Championship teams. As St. John Neumann became a high school, Robert was asked to initiate an athletic program and get the necessary athletic facilities constructed. This was done with little if any cost to the school. At St. John Neumann, he became the athletic director and football coach. Later, he became the girls' basketball coach.

Committed to his church and community, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a former Grand Knight. He was a member of the DAV, VFW, American Legion, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the Marine Corps League.

Robert is survived by his children, Thomas (Robin) Heck, William (Jennifer) Heck and Daniel S. (Katherine) Heck; granddaughters, Renee Greer and Ronnie Heck.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, April 22nd, at St. Ann Catholic Church, FL. Relatives and friends visited with the family Saturday, April 20th, and Sunday, April 21st, at the Fuller Funeral Home, 4735 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, FL. Military services and burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 26, 2013, at St. Joseph Cemetery in South Bend, IN. Palmer Funeral Home- Guisinger Chapel is handling the local arrangements. Contributions in Robert's memory may be made to Friends of the Library, Naples Regional Library, 650 Central Ave., Naples, FL 34102. Online condolences may be sent to www.fullernaples.com.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Apr. 24, 2013.

01/27/2023 EJS