Colonel Kenneth Heitzke

Heitzke, Colonel (Ret.) Kenneth S.
Colonel (Ret.) Kenneth Stanley Heitzke, age 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, August 31, 2015, in Boerne,TX. He was born on March 4, 1929, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is predeceased by his father, Michael; his mother, Theresa; and his brother, Lee. He leaves behind his wife of 62 years, Lois (Fiske) Heitzke; four children, Michele Donofrio (Wayne) of Monroe, CT, Stephen Heitzke (Debby) of Boerne, TX, Denise McLaughlin (Robert) of Bluffton, SC, and Jennifer Heitzke of Monroe, CT; as well as seven grandchildren, Christopher Donofrio, Ashley Donofrio, Michael Heitzke, Kerstin Heitzke, Calvin Campopiano, Corey Campopiano, and Alexandra DeFeo.
Ken was a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1953, and continued to serve in the Army until 1976. He is a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars. Shortly after retiring, he moved to Monroe, Connecticut, where he worked at Norden Systems in Norwalk for 11 years. While at Norden, he was instrumental in helping develop the Army Tactical Command and Control System.
Ken was also a committed public servant in Monroe for 17 years. His service on the Zoning Board of Appeals led him to election as Town Council Chairman for 8 years. Ken then went on to run for Selectman and served in this position for 6 years. As Selectman, he helped the town flourish and keep its small-town feel through projects including the development of Great Hollow Lake and the construction of the gazebo on the Monroe town green. Ken also was a finalist in a national contest for the best management of small towns. Upon retiring and moving to Hilton Head, South Carolina, in 1995, he quickly became involved in local government when he ran for, and won, a position on the town council and acted as mayor pro-tem for 11 of his 15 years in office.
Wherever he was living, Ken became very involved in his church community and often helped give communion at church, a responsibility he was always honored to take on. Furthermore, he was involved with the Knights of Columbus and was always willing to jump in whenever help was needed. Ken was a very dedicated volunteer who donated countless hours at a local non-profit on Hilton Head Island, helping to raise money for local citizens in need. He retired from the council in 2012, and moved with his wife to San Antonio, Texas, where he lived at Air Force Village until his passing.
Ken will best be remembered for his compassion, integrity, sincerity, his steady voice of reason, and his devotion to his family and friends.
A mass is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Jude Church, Monroe, CT. Ken will be laid to rest with full military honors at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY on Monday, September 14, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Most Holy Trinity Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for donations to be given in Ken's honor to the Monroe Scholarship Fund, Inc., PO Box 691, Monroe, CT 06468. A scholarship for a graduating high school student will be created in his memory. To leave condolences for the family, please visit www.ebensberger-fisher.com and select the Obituaries tab.
Arrangements with Ebensberger-Fisher Funeral Home of Boerne, TX.