Charles Hecht

Many, many years ago the Hecht family moved into the house next door and Charlie and I became childhood friends. We spent hours running through the woods, biking around our Richmond, VA neighborhood and playing board games in Charlie's basement bedroom.

Charlie introduced me to Cat Stevens, "Tea for the Tillerman," and the Tolkien books. The Hecht family took me along on a New England vacation and years later that trip helped inspire my relocation to Maine.

My parents...

The entire Hecht family has always held an especially warm spot in my heart. Though the opportunity to see each other often was negatively impacted when you moved away from Virginia, I remain so very fond of you all!!! I cannot express how shocked and saddened I was to learn of your tremendous loss and know full well that your grief must be overwhelming. I remember Charlie for his infectious smile, his sense of humor, and his intelligence. It is clear from reading the previous entries in...

A client that I had not spoken with in awhile called me today. Years ago when he said he needed the best appellate attorney in town I sent him over to Charlie. He told me of this news just today. I have young kids too. I am sorry to hear about this tragedy. In my 22 years of law practice, Charlie, in all seriousness, was one of two attorneys I had dealings with of whom I said to myself, "man, this guy is smarter than you are Brad." God Bless his young family.

Brook, I just learned of your family's loss; please accept my deepest sympathy. I worked as Charlie's Office Manager in 1997 and never worked for a greater man. I remember when you came into his life and fulfilled it completely. I moved back to Oklahoma, but have never forgotten both of your love and affection towards me and my two children. I also remember the beautiful bundle you brought home in 1998. Although Charlie was a marked man, he was ecstatic, giddy and proud to be in love with the...

Dear Hechts-
I only learned of Charlie's passing when I opened the UVA Magazine late last night. I am deeply saddened by the news. I often thought of Charlie and hoped that I would see him again and learn about his post-law school life. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.

It's February 2011 and I only just read of Charlie's passing. I'd been thinking I was overdue in dropping him a note. I shall miss him and his humor, despite not having had the chance to actually see him since we graduated from Exeter in June of 1975.
Robin Gowen Tiffney

Oh, I am really sad to hear this. I was close with Charlie (and his sister Maggie) in high school at Exeter, and visited him at his family home in Virginia one summer. In 1976 he was working for the Democratic party, and got me into the convention where Jimmy Carter was nominated. It was an amazing experience. After that we lost touch for many years. I tried to reconnect with him a few years ago, and we had a brief email exchange, but that's all. I really wish I could have connected...

I was also just reading the Exeter Bulletin and was very sad to see the news of Charlie's sudden passing. Charlie was one of my brother's and my best friends at Exeter. We played many games of 2 on 2. I can't remember who one, but we always had a wonderful time. Charlie had that strange shot that sort of rotated sideways off his hand.

My thoughts are with Charlie's family. I'm sure they miss him, just as i miss him 35 years after Exeter.

Bill Sprague