James Lee Hecht

1926 - 2018

James Lee Hecht, known as Jim, died peacefully on April 27, 2018 with his family by his side in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. He was born in New York City on December 21, 1926, the only child of Leo Hecht and Edith Hofheimer Hecht. Dr. Hecht was educated in New York City public schools, graduating from Stuyvesant High School in 1943. He entered Cornell University later that year, but his college education was interrupted by almost two years in the United States Army. After obtaining chemical engineering degrees at Cornell and Yale University, where he earned a Ph.D., he began a 31- year career with E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. At DuPont, Hecht worked in Research and Development; he led the team that developed the process for Tedlar. After Dr. Hecht retired from DuPont in 1985, he became an Adjunct Professor in the Political Science Department at the University of Delaware, focusing on energy management and other ways to improve the relationship between the U.S. and Soviet Union. He then spent the remainder of his life in Colorado, engaged in a wide range of community activities in Denver and across the world. Jim Hecht was frequently described as a "force for good." He was generous, kind, intellectually engaging, passionate, and had a vision for how the world can be a better place. And, most important to him, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather and person who inspired all around him to do what is right, and make a positive difference. He has an impressive legacy that includes improving safety in the National Parks, pursuing equal opportunity in housing, and working to improve the quality of life in Nepal, with notable contributions at Patan Hospital and in smallholder family farming. Jim Hecht is survived by his beloved wife, Amy Blatchford Hecht; his daughter, Margaret Le Beau and her husband Darrell Le Beau of Castle Rock, CO; five grandchildren: Mariah Le Beau, Harley Ryan Le Beau, Derrick James Le Beau, Nicholas James Hecht, and Benjamin Andrew Hecht; nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. He was preceded in death by two sons, Charles Blatchford Hecht and Andrew Clark Hecht. A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 23 at 3 pm, Vi at Highlands Ranch, 2850 Classic Drive, 80126. For more detail and info on memorial gifts, please go to http://www. monarchsociety.com/obituary/james-hecht.