Obituaries

J. Robert “Bob” Heckman, 82

July 14, 2020

J. Robert “Bob” Heckman, 82, passed away on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at the Glen at Willow Valley. He was the husband of Kathy A. (Snyder) Heckman, with whom he shared 38 years of marriage this past June 18th. Born in Waynesboro, he was the son of the late Benjamin F. and Pearl Brill Heckman.

Bob was a professor at Elizabethtown College, teaching genetics and biology for his 38-year tenure there. He truly loved to teach; it was not a career, it was a passion for him. Upon his retirement, he was awarded the distinguished rank of Professor Emeritus. He earned his BS from Elizabethtown College, his MEd from Millersville University, and his PhD from Penn State University.

Bob was an active member of the Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren, where he lent his cooking talents for the church’s Love Feast and other events. He was also a member of Masonic Lodge 648 of Elizabethtown. Bob was an avid reader, talented woodworker and builder, and enjoyed hunting and cooking. He was also an enthusiastic Penn State football fan.

In addition to his wife, Kathy, he is survived by his sister, Rosalie Custer of Lititz, his daughter, Susan Kolb married to Matthew of Mountville, his son, Benjamin Heckman of Brattleboro, VT, his step-son, Jason Webster married to Anna of Tucson, AZ, his step-son, Joel Webster of Tucson, AZ, his grandchildren, Chloe Haldeman, Noah Haldeman, and Clara Lumenello, and his step-granddaughter Juliette Webster.

There will be a graveside service for family only. A memorial service will be live-streamed on Thursday, July 30 at 2 PM at www.youtube.com/c/ElizabethtownChurchoftheBrethren.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Bob’s memory to Elizabethtown College, Development Office, One Alpha Drive, Elizabethtown, PA 17022 or Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren, 777 S. Mt. Joy St., Elizabethtown, PA 17022.

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Condolences to the Family

August 05, 2020

Bob was a good man, a fine friend and colleague.  He will be missed.
Fred Hoffman, Professor Emeritus

July 30, 2020

Bob was an excellent teacher and mentor while I attended Elizabethtown College.  I worked on a special senior project with him, perfecting a way to isolate goldfish chromosomes.  Bob told me later this was the means for him to receive his Phd at Penn State.  I very much remember our deep discussions about topics in Biology and philosophy.  His friendship meant much to me!  He was a great man.
Paul E Brubaker MD

July 30, 2020

Rest in Peace dear friend and colleague!  We all miss you already, especially those jokes and bits of trivia that you picked up while listening to NPR!  It was a privilege and a pleasure to have wotked with you for these many years!  
Frank Peter Polanowski

July 27, 2020

Kathy and family, so sorry for your loss.  Prayers for you all. Wilma Spickler

July 26, 2020

Bob was a good friend and colleague in the Biology Department at Elizabethtown College. I met Bob through a mutual friend at Penn State in the late 1960s. We were both performing graduate research on trout. Bob was instrumental in my joining the Biology faculty at the college. Bob’s office and classroom were across the hall from mine. I probably heard Bob’s Genetic lectures 30 times over the years. His classes were lively, with frequent laughter as Bob told stories to hold students’ attention. He was an excellent professor. The Biology faculty frequently ate lunch together. Bob also told us stories and had questions for us to answer. Most were nonsensical, asked in a humorous manner. He kept us on our toes, and his stories were welcomed,always providing a bit of levity in our lives. I shall miss Bob, who was a good friend and valuable asset to the Biology Department for many years.
Jim Dively, Professor Emeritus of Biology

July 23, 2020

I learned much from Professor Heckman as a student at Elizabethtown College. I was his lab assistant for a year and he taught me how to process various organ tissues to make histology slides. In fact, he taught me so well, that I was able to teach my classmates how to make slides. I also greatly enjoyed our fruit fly experiments while learning Mendelian laws of genetics. I will miss Dr. Heckman and his wonderful humor, but I’m grateful for his influence on my academic life. Thank you, Kathy, for your love and devotion to Dr. Heckman all these years.
 
Gerald R. Baer MD

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