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David Foster Hecht, Retired Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, age 68, of Sturgis, passed away early Friday Morning, Oct. 19, 2012, at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland.
He was born Feb. 3, 1944, in Sturgis, a son of the late Max E. and Audrey E. (Reeg) Hecht.
David was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1962. He continued his education at Glen Oaks Community College in Centreville and Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
On May 31, 2006, he married Deborah Campbell in Centreville.
David was a true entrepreneur and gifted and talented woodworker and construction contractor.
He was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church of Sturgis and also a member of Neuman-Wenzel Post #73 American Legion and Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking and time spent in the outdoors, especially feeling the warmth of the sun on his face. David had several interests and hobbies, but he was truly happiest when he was spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and he was never afraid to express the true and sincere pride he had in his three sons.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah; three sons, Matthew Hecht of Melbourne, Fla., Jason Hecht of Sturgis and Adam (Joy) Hecht of Holland; a stepdaughter, Jennifer Jackson of Kalamazoo; two stepsons, Brandon (Wendy) Jackson of Honolulu and Christopher (Kimberlee) Jackson of San Diego; grandchildren David M. Hecht, Alex J. Hecht, Max Hecht, Samantha Hecht, Kara Hecht and Emma Hecht, Melanie Jackson, Jem Jackson, Christopher Jackson Jr., Lilianna Marie Jackson and Genevieve Lee Jackson; father-in-law James M. Campbell of Plymouth, Ind.; mother-in-law Nancy Jane Bannon of Plymouth; a sister-in-law, Teresa Lynn Graham of Chandler, Ariz.; a brother-in-law, James R. Campbell of Tempe, Ariz.; fellow brother in arms and soldier of Christ Mike McMillen of Reed City; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In accordance with his wishes, his body was gifted to the Cleveland Clinical Anatomical Body Donation Program. The family will receive friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30 at Hackman Family Funeral Homes — Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis.
A memorial service celebrating the life of David Foster Hecht will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 1 at the funeral home. The Rev. Deb Johnson of First United Methodist Church and local retired pastor Bob Keim will officiate. Burial of the ashes will take place at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis at a later date to be announced. Full military honors will be conferred by the U.S. Army Honor Guard and Captain John J. Kelley Post #1355 VFW Honor Guard.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in David’s memory consider Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.
His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
