Frank Charles Heggli

1927 - 2016

Frank Charles Heggli, member of The Greatest Generation, Patriotic veteran of WWII, builder of our State's infrastructure and devoted husband and father passed away early April 11, 2016. Born June 4, 1927, Frank enjoyed a childhood with loving, yet firm Swiss-immigrant parents. They worked hard to provide a solid life for him and his brother, Bill. His mother's drive to challenge her son academically and spiritually brought the family to parochial school and the Catholic Church. Frank enjoyed this faith and remained a staunch practitioner until his death. Growing up in San Francisco, Frank excelled in sports, especially basketball. He attended Saint Ignatius High School and his time spent there shaped the foundation of his character as he admired and emulated the Jesuits who taught there. When WWII began, Frank did what he could to support his country, finishing High School in three years and enlisting as soon as he was allowed. At 17, he found himself shipping out to the Philippines. He served on LST 779 which he proudly proclaimed supplied the flag hoisted over Iwo Jima and was headed to his own plight with combat when news came that his brothers in arms had secured a surrender. After the war, Frank continued his education at Santa Clara and USF. He became a Civil Engineer specializing in designing and building bridges. He would go to work for Cal Trans where he would stay for more than forty years. So prolific was his work, that it is entirely possible every person reading this has driven over one of his bridges. Frank married, had four children, and settled into his life in Sacramento. He enjoyed caring for his home, coaching his children's softball and baseball teams, playing bridge and golf and serving Presentation Parish. Frank also enjoyed acting and singing as he took a turn on the stage for Jesuit's Spring Fling. He married his second wife, Norma on our nation's 200th birthday and they began a happy era of family and travel. Frank remained a social, ebullient man always quick with a quip and generous with an ear. He loved to regale his family with stories of his navy days; including the time he and his cohorts were caught water skiing on homemade skis by his fleet's admiral. Conversely, he was his family's stalwart rock, never failing to offer support in times of need. Frank's golf game was legendary, perhaps not from skill, but from the pure joy he had for the sport and the camaraderie one felt if you were lucky enough to tee up in his foursome. Frank Heggli was a good man, the likes of which don't exist very much anymore. His support, love and jaunty personality will dearly be missed. He is survived by his wife, Norma, his son Dr. F Charles Heggli, daughter Heidi Sims, son, James Heggli, daughter, Holly Heggli, Stepdaughter, Melanie Nyc, Stepson, Stanton Page, eight grandchildren and two-great grandchildren. Services will be held at Our Lady of Presentation Church in Sacramento at 11am on Monday, April 18, 2016. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you remember your favorite charity in honor of Frank C. Heggli.