Mr. David Arthur Hecker
April 11, 1939 – December 7, 2021
David Arthur Hecker, 82, of Groveland, Florida passed away on December 7, 2021 after a brief illness.
Dave was born on April 11, 1939 to Edward and Madonna Hecker in Indianapolis, Indiana. After Dave graduated from Ft. Lauderdale High School in 1956 he went on to study Mechanical Engineering at The University of Florida.
After graduating UF in 1961 Dave moved to Cocoa Beach, Florida where he worked for NASA contractors at the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex–first as a mechanical engineer, and later also an electrical engineer. During his time there he worked with the Agena, Atlas, Apollo, Space Shuttle, and other programs until retiring in 1993.
In 1964 Dave married Janet Wilma Carroll in Cocoa Beach. They raised 3 children Gail, David, and Mark.
In 1997 Dave and Janet moved to Tallahassee, Florida. Dave spent much of his spare time volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. On several occasions he spoke to his grandchildren’s classrooms about working at NASA and the space program. He loved attending various musical performances at Florida State University, and several years in a row he would attend the Glen Miller Festival in Clarinda, Iowa. He was an excellent musician himself and played piano and organ, as well as sang in his church choirs.
In 2003 his wife Janet passed away and in 2005 he married Judy Fields. They moved to Groveland in 2007. Together they volunteered for the Orlando Bishop’s Storehouse for nine years.
Dave was predeceased by his parents and his first wife Janet. He is survived by his brother: Dr. Edward J. Hecker (Carolyn), his children: Gail
(Denis) Roberts, David (Paula) Hecker, Mark (Gwen) Hecker; and 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held January 29, 2022 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 14600 Green Valley Blvd.,
Clermont, Florida. Due to Covid, masks are strongly encouraged.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your local Hospice organization.