Jack Howard Heck

HECK, JACK HOWARD, 1918, died Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at his home in Oakwood. Born in Englewood, he was the son of Opal Kling and Howard A. Heck. Jack graduated from Steele High School in 1936 and from DePauw Univ. in 1940. While an undergraduate, his summer bicycling through Europe set his life-long pattern for interest in international affairs and extensive travel. Following his college graduation, Jack was accepted in the Foreign Service section of the State Department. Following 'Cram School' at George Washington Univ. his first assignment was to the American Embassy to Paris which was in Algiers in North Africa. During these 'war years' in Algiers Jack worked with De Gaulle, Eisenhower, McMillan, Montgomery, Hoover, and David Rockefeller all post-war world leaders. "It was an exciting time for a little guy from Dayton," he often said. As part of the re-opening of the Paris Embassy, Jack lived in that city for several years. Next he served as Vice Counsel in Cherbourg. During a 'hitch' in the State Dept. in Washington, he met his future wife, Elizabeth Findley. They were married in Quito, Ecuador where Jack served a First Secretary in the Embassy. Next came Barranquilla, Columbia where his eldest son, Howard, was born. In 1950 Jack's family insisted he resign from the Foreign Service and take over the family business interests"so that ended the most exciting years of my life." During the 50's and 60's Jack served on the Board of National City Bank, was president of the Humane Society, a member of the Wright State Univ. Library, and was Campaign Manager and then Chief of Staff for Rodney Love when he successfully ran for Congress and was elected. Jack returned to Dayton to be with his children when his wife died. In 1967 he married Phyllis Fraser, and from then on returned to his early love of horses. He was Field Master for the Miami Valley Hunt for forty years. During these years they hunted in Europe, traveled to every continent, "We have been in about every country, island, and far-away place" Jack loved the 'bad-time' he was given by fellow members of 'The 39'ers'. Jack was a member of Dayton Country Club and The Metropolitan Club in New York City. He is survived by his children: Howard Heck of Dayton; Nancy Sternal of Minneapolis, John Heck of Washington DC, step sons David Findley and Henry Hull. There will be no services at this time. Please, no flowers. Contributions may be made to The Humane Society of Greater Dayton, 1881 Nicholas Rd., Dayton, OH 45408 and the Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, OH 45420. Condolences and other remembrances may be sent to Jack's family by visiting www.routsong.com

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429