Martin Gottshall Heckler

Martin Gottshall Heckler, age 90, passed away peacefully at his home in Springhouse, PA. Born and raised in Lansdale, PA, Marty attended Temple University on a track scholarship and following graduation, joined the Navy. Upon completion of OCS in Newport, RI, he served as a bombardier/ navigator deploying on month long reconnaissance missions in the Mediterranean from the USS Forrestal. Marty always referred to these three years in the Navy as the most formative of his life.

After military service, Marty pursued a career in law, graduating from the University of PA in 1962.

He initially joined the law firm of Donovan Leisure Newton and Irvine in NYC where he worked for two years before moving to the Philadelphia area and the firm of Waters Fleer Cooper and Gallagher. Finally in 1980 he accepted a position with Fox Rothschild O'Brien and Frankel where he specialized in corporate law and remained as a partner until his retirement in 2005. Although a reluctant retiree, the time afforded Marty the opportunity to pursue new passions. He learned rowing on the Schuylkill, enjoyed biking the Schuylkill River Trail and stayed active at the Ambler Y. His greatest love, however, was his "Penllyn Tennis". Within any group Marty was a quiet voice of reason, a thoughtful contributor, and a loyal friend. He will be missed by many. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marjorie; his son Peter, his two beloved grandchildren, Campbell and Penelope; his daughter Amy; and his sister Norma Linck.