Frans van Hekken, 90, of Lancaster, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 16, 2012 at Country Meadows Retirement Community. He was born in Batavia (Jakarta), Indonesia on June 17, 1922, the son of Frans and Sophia (Fakkeldij) van Hekken and the husband of Wilhelmina "Willy" (Leenmans) van Hekken of Lancaster.

Frans served as 1 ^st Lieutenant in the Dutch Royal Air Force during WW II. At the end of the war he met and married Willy in Indonesia and left for Holland, where he earned his degree in nuclear engineering    at the Technical University of Delft. Shortly after graduation, he was recruited by RCA as an engineer at the Lancaster facility, where he became head of the Transfer Technology Department.  Frans retired in 1983 and spent his next 29 years enjoying life by traveling extensively abroad, participating in weekly bridge games with his friends, sailing on the Chesapeake Bay and spending time with his Family.

In addition to his wife Willy of 66 years, he is survived by the following:  His children: son Frans, husband of Jeanne of Millersville, daughter, Karen Ament of Pequea and son Henk, husband of Maria of Allentown. His 7 grandchildren: Brian, Derrick, Laurie, Lyle, Chase, Kori and Jack. His 4 great-grandchildren: Savannah, Isabella, Landen & Dylan. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jopie.

To quote from his Memoires:  "In each life there comes a time, when you know what you should have done and it is almost too late to do it". It was Frans' wish that no services be held.  In his memory, contributions can be made to: Chesapeake Bay Foundation, www.cbf.org under Menu – Give. To place a condolence online, please visit www.SnyderFuneralHome.com . Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory 717-872-5041