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Ken Hechler
1914 - 2016
Ken Hechler
1914 - 2016
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1914
DIED
2016
Ken Hechler Obituary
Hechler was a member of the Democratic Party who represented West Virginia in Congress from 1959 until 1977. He later became the West Virginia secretary of state from 1985 until 2001.
Hechler was a combat historian in the European theater during World War II. He was with the 9th Armored Division when one of its tank forces captured the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, Germany. He wrote a book about that event called “The Bridge at Remagen,” which was later turned into a movie starring George Segal and Robert Vaughn.
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He was a White House assistant to President Harry Truman and then won his first election to Congress in 1958. Hechler was the only member of Congress to march with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at Selma, Alabama. He was the principal author of the Coal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1969, which increased safety standards in coal mines.
Hechler campaigned against mountaintop-removal mining. In 2009, at age 94, he participated in protests at the site of mountaintop-removal mining areas, and he was arrested on a trespassing charge.
At age 98, he married his longtime companion, Carol Kitzmiller. She survives him.
36 Entries
gilbert johnson
March 27, 2017
gilbert from ravenswood, ken said to me in 1964, vote for the man not the party, have voted for ken, wallace, russ p.,and trump, was with him in 1963 visit wash dc, and the christmas tree lighting, of 1964, he was the bast, cheers gilbert
MA
January 20, 2017
To the family,
I send my condolences. May God give you peace as you cope with your loss.
T C
December 18, 2016
My condolences to the Hechler family for the loss of Ken. May God's Word strengthen you during this time of mourning. (Isa. 41:10,13)
Sharon Huffman
December 15, 2016
I am so sorry to hear about Ken's passing but glad he is at peace. He did his wonderful work here on earth and now he is continuing on in heaven. He will continue to do great things in heaven as he did here on earth.
I worked for Ken for years in the Secretary of States Office and and continued on for many years after he went on to do his wonderful work at what he thought best. He was the "Best" Secretary of State we ever had since I was employed there.
He was so interested in doing good for the public and our state which he loved. He was also a very diligent, honest and hard working man. He welcomed the public in to visit and was so proud to talk about our state. He trusted all staff to get the daily work done and that we did. He seemed much more interested in running a great office than the political part of it. I will always remember him for his honesty, strong work ethic and the ability to make the Secretary of States Office the people's office. It was a great honor to work under his administration and it made me feel so proud.
He was such a great man and will be missed by many.
With sincere sympathy,
Sharon Huffman
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December 14, 2016
My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Sylvia Fortney Hunt
December 13, 2016
My condolences to his family. I remember living on the same street and about a block from Dr. Hechler's house in Huntington, WV.
Although I was in grammar school and high school at the time, I remember his red Jeep parked on 8th Street.
Colleen Avery
December 13, 2016
As a fellow vet, I salute you. Colleen Avery, Mt. Shasta, Ca.
December 13, 2016
It is truly a blessing Mr. Hechler lived to be 102 years old. He remind me of the passage at Psalms 90:10, an especially strong individual. Ken will be remember by many people.
Martha Stephens
December 12, 2016
Ken Hechler was a great man and a great cheerleader for West Virginia, for decency, for justice. I'm honored to have spoken with him in his travels.
December 12, 2016
Find comfort in knowing God understands your grief and cares. (1 Peter 5:6,7)
December 12, 2016
Many prayers and words of comfort to the family in this time of difficulty.
Ypsilanti, Michigan
December 12, 2016
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Mrs. DB
December 12, 2016
Reading through the many expressions of sympathy, please accept mine as well. Although I didn't know Mr. Hechler personally, I marvel at his length of days and many accommplishments.
Prayers to all of you - Mrs. Hechler, family and friends.
December 12, 2016
Sending my heartfelt condolences to the Hechler family and friends. May the peace of our loving God be with you as you endure through this most difficult time.
Mark Schmerling
December 12, 2016
Writer and activist Shirley Stewart Burns called Ken "a West Virginia hero, and a national treasure." She was right. It was my great privilege to meet, photograph, interview, and befriend Ken.
No one, i mean NO one had more personal integrity than Ken.
Mark Schmerling
Carolyn Lawrence
December 12, 2016
Please accept my condolences. May the passage of time ease your pain.
December 12, 2016
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
December 12, 2016
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
AW
December 12, 2016
Thoughts and prayers are with the Hechler family during this difficult time, especially Mrs. Carol. May God comfort you during this time as you throw your cares upon him.
December 12, 2016
What a long and blessed life! So many cannot say the same. Mr. Hechler's legacy will surely be remembered. May he forever live in our hearts and in God's book of life.
December 12, 2016
Dear Carol, other family members and friends, my condolences for your loss of Ken. As you celebrate his well-lived long life, find comfort in cherished memories of his many fine accomplishments and prayers and the support of others (Daniel 12:13) ~ Linda, Queens, NY
Jeff
December 12, 2016
What a wonderful man and an inspiration to all. His was a life well lived.
Thank you for your service and rest in peace
Ralph Munro
December 11, 2016
Ken was an amazing guy and a wonderful friend. We did not meet until he became Secretary of State. We sat beside each other and shared many fine stories and memories. What a guy. I will certainly miss him.
I still give his books to friends all the time. The Bridge at Remagen is still a classic that is well worth the read.
Ralph Munro
Secretary of State
State of Washington
1980-2001
Triple Creek Farm
5041 Houston, Olympia, Wash
98502-1723
December 11, 2016
Such a long and full life. God promises everlasting life on paradise earth for those who have passed away ( John 11 : 25 ). May that promise bring you comfort and hope.
Adrian Barnette
December 11, 2016
We'll miss you !
Gennie Johnson
December 11, 2016
My condolences
December 11, 2016
I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 119:76.
Betty Dooley
December 11, 2016
A kind neighbor and statehouse friend. A college professor who lived a long life praise God. Betty Dooley
Rob, Julie, Robbie Wolford, Ruth & Tom Rowan
December 11, 2016
May God bless you with peace and comfort as you draw from the treasure box of memories from happy times together. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
December 11, 2016
My condolences to the family and friends. May God give you peace to cope with your loss Phillippians 4:6,7.
Pauline Lawhorn
December 11, 2016
REST IN PEACE YOU ARE WITH THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
Harry Simpson
December 11, 2016
Godspeed, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Rest Ken, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
Tammy Gerges
December 11, 2016
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to your family at this difficult time. Please find peace in knowing that God understands your grief and that he cares. 1 Peter 5:6&7 assures us "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time, while you throw all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you."
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