Carlos Metsch Hecker M.D.

1937 - 2024

Carlos Metsch Hecker, M.D., award winning psychiatrist and avid stained-glass artist has passed away after a sudden illness at the age of 86. In pursuit of adventure, he left his hometown of Caracas, Venezuela to attend undergraduate and Medical School at Tulane University. After graduation he joined the Navy and completed his medical internship at the Naval Hospital located on the National Mall in Washington, DC. In 1965, he met the young Karen Sonosky and proposed on the spot (after a year). Throughout his years as a psychiatrist, he cared deeply for his patients. After 30 years in private practice, he found a career rebirth at Mental Health Services of The Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board. At home, he threw himself into his art, covering nearly every window with stained glass and creating nine-foot-tall free standing mirrored triptychs. He was also an opera and classical music lover who enjoyed traveling, skiing, sculpting, cooking, reading on the beach, speaking German with his conversation group, and celebrating Shabbat with his family. He was one-of-a-kind and he will be sorely missed by his devoted wife, Karen Hecker, two beloved daughters, Nicolette Chandler and Raquel Hecker, and loving grandchildren Max and Zsa Zsa. The funeral will be held on Thursday, May 30 at 10:30 a.m. at Temple Rodef Shalom in Falls Church, Virginia. Donations in his honor can be made to Northern Virginia Mental Health Foundation or Temple Rodef Shalom. Please view and sign the family guest book at