Richard G. Heckman

It is with great sadness that the family of Richard G Heckman announces his passing on Monday, September 18, 2023.  Richard was born and raised in West Long Branch, N.J. After graduating from Long Branch High School, where he was Class President in Junior & Senior years, he attended Diesel Engines & Repairs School in Queens, NY.  He then worked for Mack Trucks until he enlisted in the Army. There he was in the 6th Infantry Regiment, Headquarters Company 2nd Battalion - Berlin, Germany in the American Sector of the divided city.  After the Army, where he attained the rank of Corporal, he married his former wife and went to work at New Jersey Natural Gas Company in their garage as a Mechanic. He then became very involved as a Union Negotiator. He did so well that the top Admin- Administrators offered him a position as Assistant Director of the Personnel Department. During those years he became very involved in Industry and Civic Affairs. He received many awards for this Service. One was for Teaching Firemen throughout New Jersey how to handle Natural Gas. For seven years he was Chairman of the Monmouth County Traffic Safety Committee.  There he was certified as a Defensive Driver Instructor. 

While in his 40’s Richard received two different Degrees at Brookdale College. He also belonged to the Monmouth-Ocean County Industrial Relations Association, later changed to Jersey Shore Human Relations Association/American Association of Personnel Administratives, where he met his present wife, Genevieve. Richard retired from the Gas Company after 26 years of service and went to work for General Dynamic/Electro Dynamics Electric Boat Division.  Once there, he started a Mentor Program with the local Grammar School Students. He also served on the Board of Trustees at Epiphany House with his wife, Genevieve, in Asbury Park. He served several years with Sister Janet Christenson as the Director.                                                                                          

After Richard & Genevieve were married they got very involved in boating. At first it was White Water Rafting and canoeing and then they bought a 21’ Grady White and went up the Hudson River to Lake Champlain. They enjoyed cruising so much they then traded up to a 34’ Mainship they named “Lady Jane”. They then cruised to the Hamptons, Connecticut, Baltimore Inner Harbor, Annapolis.

Then in 1994, a year after Richard retired from General Dynamic/Electro Dynamics they decided to cruise to Englewood, FL, a voyage that lasted 21 days. They left their home in NJ and started down the Intracoastal Waterway, leaving each Port of Call at day break and turning in at 4:00 pm each night. They had the Waterway Guide and Charts and stopped only at Marinas that had a restaurant or a way to get to a restaurant. They cruised across Lake Okeechobee to Ft Myers and then north to Lemon Bay and Englewood. Richard was the Captain and his wife Genevieve, Navigator. 

In May they brought “Lady Jane” back to New Jersey. They then bought a two seater side by side Jet Ski they named “Baby Jane.” They would go out every evening when Genevieve came home from work and cruised Barnegat Bay. In October of that year they again cruised to Englewood, FL. They liked the area so much they decided to buy a home there. They then spent the next 19 years spending October to May every year.

Richard is predeceased by his loving son Douglas, parents Naomi Jane (Morris) and Gustave Heckman, his Grandfather, Gustave Heckman, his Uncle Frank & Aunt Mollie Miller, his Aunt Grace & Uncle Donald Morris. Living is his devoted wife Genevieve Fitzpatrick Heckman, his children Pam  Dubrow, Brian & Tina Heckman, Lori Atwater, Lisa Heckman and Step-children Kerri (Nick) Rospos, Doreen Howell, & Gigi (Joe) Iskra & his Grandchildren Douglas Atwater, Dan, Matt & Chris Dubrow, Elaina Heckman, Dr. Samantha Matthews (Adam Klebes )  Ryan Ann Tyner(Brandon), Nick & Courtney Rospos, Kaci (Ken) Buck, Jane Howell (fiancé David Howard), Julie (Michael) Botts and his Great-Grandchildren Ella & Noland Buck,Olivia & Avery Botts, Reagan Rospos & Alexander Klebes and his brother Frank Heckman.

Visitation will be held Sunday, September 24, 2023 2:00pm – 6:00pm at the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funeral O’Connell Chapel, 706 Hwy 9, Bayville, NJ.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Monday, September 25, 2023 11:00am at St. Barnabas RC Church, Bayville, NJ.  Burial to follow at the Brig. General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Wrightstown, NJ.

In lieu of flowers please make a donations in memory of Richard Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. 

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com.

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