Melvin Dean Heckt

Heckt, Melvin D. Age 95 of Golden Valley passed away peacefully on February 7, 2020. Born in Dysart, IA on April 21, 1924. Preceded in death by parents Wesley and Ada (Lawyer) Heckt, wife Dorothy (Simons) and son Paul. Survived by children Janice, Mary, Barbara Kenutis (Robert), William (Jane), Thomas (Catherine) and daughter-in-law Kathleen, 11 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Melvin graduated from Grundy Center High School and the University of Iowa. He received his law degree from the University of Iowa Law School in 1950. He practiced law for 45 years with the law firm of Bassford, Heckt, Lockhart, Truesdell & Briggs and then with Luther & Heckt well into his late 80s. Mel married his wife, "Dort", in 1948 and together they raised 6 children in Golden Valley, MN. Mel enjoyed spending time with his family. He was a member of the University of Iowa football team in 1943 and was a passionate Hawkeye sports fan, a lifelong MN Vikings supporter and an avid reader. Mel enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps 1st Marine Raider BN, 1st BN 4th Marines, 6th Marine Division and served his country from 1943-1945 during WWII and fought in the battles of Guam and Okinawa. He received the Bronze Star for his bravery on Sugar Loaf Hill during the Battle of Okinawa. He was a Life Member and past President of the U.S. Marine Raiders Association and a former board member of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. He was a Life Member of the American Legion and VFW. He served on the Board of Directors for Mt. Olivet Rolling Acres and Friendship Ventures Foundation for many years and worked tirelessly on the behalf of children and adults with disabilities. He did pioneering work in estate planning for parents of disabled children. He was a founder of Camp Friendship in Annandale that many children with disabilities have enjoyed for decades. He served as the President of both the Minnesota and National Association for Retarded Children (ARC). He also was a key member of the Nixon and Ford President's Committee on Mental Retardation from 1973-75. The funeral service will be held at Wooddale Church (Door 2), 6630 Shady Oak Rd, Eden Prairie on Saturday, February 15th at 11:00 a.m. with visitation at 10:00 a.m. Private interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations preferred to Fraser School (fraser.org/donate) or Wooddale Church.

Tributes

Melvin Dean Heckt

April 21, 1924 - February 7, 2020

Tributes

Melvin Dean Heckt

April 21, 1924 - February 7, 2020

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