Joel Heckmann

1934 - 2016

Joel Heckmann

Joel Heckmann was born on October 10, 1934 and passed away at his Walnut Creek home on August 26, 2016. He was the only child of his Italian mother, Alba (Ronchetto), and his German father, Fred. He grew up in Crockett, CA. After graduating from John Swett High School, he attended San Francisco State where he pitched for the baseball team and played tight end on the football team.

After college, Joel joined the Marine Corps and attended Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA. His active and Reserve duty stretched from 1957 to 1968 and he achieved the rank of Captain. He remained an active member of the Marine Corps League, Mt. Diablo Detachment 942, and lived the Semper Fidelis motto in all aspects of his life.

Joel married Mickey, his wife of 54 years, in 1962. They had two children: Michael and Joelle. He was a devoted husband and father. Family was his first priority. When his children were young, he volunteered many hours at swim meets and helped coach Little League and American Legion baseball teams. His children remember his presence at nearly every one of their sporting events. Joel continued this support with his two grandsons: Alexander Joel (AJ) and Mitchell, attending the majority of their sporting and school events.

Possessing a love of the outdoors, Joel delighted in hiking, working around his cabin, photographing nature, and making birdhouses. Only those very close to him knew of his ability to play the guitar and of his joy in writing original songs about his family and friends. Joel had a great sense of humor and a fortunate few were the recipients of his anonymous masterful poems in which he teased those he loved.

Joel had a thirty-year career in the sales of building materials and ocean transportation.

A celebration of Joel's life will be held later for close friends and family. Memorial contributions can be made in his name to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (mcsf.org) or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (themmrf.org).