Bruce H. Heckman

Bruce H. Heckman

Bruce H. Heckman, beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, brother-in-law, cousin and friend died on January 26, 2021.

Bruce was born on August 21, 1942 in Brooklyn, NY to father Erwin and mother Ethel (Weiner) Heckman. He grew up in Long Beach, NY. A precocious student, he graduated from Long Beach High School in 1959 at the age of 16 and went on to attend William and Mary College. An aspiring writer, he ultimately decided to pursue a career in medicine and graduated from New York Medical College in 1967. In his final year of medical school, he met the love of his life, Lynn Geringer, who was also a medical student, and they were married within a year. He completed his internal medicine residency and hematology fellowship at New York Medical College, after which, he completed a Masters in Public Health from Yale University. He served as a Major in the Army Medical Corp.

Bruce started an internal medicine practice in Ossining, NY in 1974 which he maintained until 2018. He was a member of the medical staff at Phelps Memorial Hospital in Sleepy Hollow, NY for 45 years. While maintaining his private practice, he also served as president of the medical staff and as a member of the board of directors at Phelps. He served as medical director of Ossining Open Door Family Medical Center for 17 years. He was also founder of Phelps Hospice and served as Medical Director for Hospice for 35 years. Not one to retire, he continued his work and compassion as a Palliative Care medicine physician at New York - Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital for the past 2 years.

This was a man who had a passion for life that was infectious. He was not just a hard working compassionate physician, but also an author, producer, patron, collector, antiques dealer, and loving husband, father, and grandfather. Bruce wrote and published a children's book, Parthenope: A Papa Sam Story. He also produced a jazz album entitled "Jazz Psalms." He was an avid collector of "book boxes", books, prints, and paintings. A concert or performance was always on the calendar. He loved travel, a glass of wine and a wonderful meal. Sharing all of these passions with his family and friends, and being together, was his greatest pursuit.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Lynn Heckman, daughter Dorin Wilson from North Andover, MA, and son Dr. Jason Heckman (Nicole) from Slingerlands, NY, and five grandchildren: Chloe, Elizabeth, Camilla, Thomas and Evan. He is also survived by his brother Richard Heckman (Karen) from St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. He is predeceased by his brother Sheldon.

With a kind and compassionate smile and demeanor, he was a friend to all. He touched many peoples lives and we were all richer for it.

A private ceremony will be held for family and a memorial will be arranged at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to organizations close to his heart which include Hospice of Westchester, Jazz House Kids, and New York Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital Palliative Care.