JOHN L. "JACK" HECKER

JACK HECKER WAS A NEIGHBOR OF MINE IN PERRYSBURG, OHIO IN THE LATE 1950s. HE WAS A MOST TERRIFIC NEIGHBOR WHO TAUGHT PHYSICAL EDUCATION AT WHAT WAS THEN CALLED ELM STREET (NOW TOTH) ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.. I WILL NEVER FORGET WHEN HE CONSOLED ME WHEN I HAD A BUNCH OF BABY RABBITS DIE FROM A CAT GOING INTO MY CARDBOARD BOX AS THEIR TEMPORARY HOME. HE WAS SO PERSONABLE, AND CARING. I WAS VERY TOUCHED AS A NINE YEAR OLD. I ALWAYS WONDERED WHATEVER HAPPENED TO MR. HECKER, AND NOW I KNOW. MAY HE REST...

Dear Linda,

I just heard of jacks passing today. I'm so sorry for your loss.l just missed playing basketball with Jack by one year.i always considered him a true friend and mentor. Please accept my sympathy.

Al reinke

Just learned of Jack. One of a kind. He loved all the Players/Cadets. A Great Coach and a better man. Loved his family. Think of him and John Simar a lot as they were inseparable. Jack always knew how to read people and get the momentum going in the right direction. I am grateful for all he did to help me and all of those associated with Army Football. One of West Point's finest. My heart and prayers go out to the family.
Aloha,
Bob Gay

To the Hecker Family,

I recently learned of Jack's passing. I know that there is little I can say or do, but I wanted to write and express my deepest sympathy. I was only at Toledo for a short time, but I was grateful for Jack's friendship. He was a gentle, thoughtful and fine gentleman.

Fred Zamberletti

Very saddened to hear of Coach Hecker's passing. He and my dad were good friends throughout the years and worked collaboratively to start the Army Football Club golf outings. It was a labor of love for both of them. Coach Hecker was a terrific guy and will be missed greatly.

Sir Andrew Barton - Fight on, my merry men,
I am a little hurt, but I am not slain;
I will lay me down for to bleed a while,
Then I will rise and fight with you again.

That quote greeted us each day in our locker room at Army. Coach Hecker was a great coach, leader, and man. The Army Football Brotherhood has lost one of our own. My thoughts and prayers go out to Linda and family. Coach Hecker is surely fighting another day on another playing field.

Coach Hecker was an awesome coach, dad, and husband. I cannot even count the number of hours I spent at their house at West Point watching football, eating, hanging out, and just relaxing. Jack and Linda helped me make it thru school. He was always positive and upbeat and there to help. I still light up when someone says Boyze! I know I like everyone else will miss him deeply. He meant so much to so many. Prayers and thoughts to all.