John Hettinger

It is with profound sadness that the family of Maj. John S. Hettinger, USA (Ret.) announces his peaceful passing at the age of 69, after a grueling 8.5 year battle with ALS. John passed away at his home in Roswell, GA in the early morning hours on Wednesday, July 24th surrounded by his family.

Born and raised just outside Louisville, KY, John was known for his charismatic personality, winning smile, natural leadership skills, and his love for adventure. He was number 6 of his 12 siblings, and earned the title “General John.” John joined Army ROTC at Eastern Kentucky and was a proud brother of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. After meeting at a fraternity party, John and Debbie fell quickly in love and married on a snowy day in November 1977.

John’s career as an Army Officer took him all over the world to assignments in Egypt, Croatia, Brazil, Granada, Saudi Arabia, West Point, and Panama. In his time of service to our country, John attained the rank of Major and was awarded the Soldier’s Medal. The Hettinger family was stationed in Germany, Fort Campbell, Auburn University, Fort Bragg, and Fort McPherson. One of John’s favorite assignments was as the Professor of Military Science at Auburn University, where he served as an advisor to the Army ROTC.

After retiring from the Army, John became a Scheduling Consultant, with one of his first assignments being the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. He started his own consulting business, Keystone Consultants, in 2003, which included travel to various hospital sites across the US and the Caribbean.

John was a generous and proud father, helping with school projects, moving equipment for the marching band, and volunteering for sorority rush events. He encouraged his daughters to be brave and even tested their mettle with extreme sailboating. Lovingly known as “Pops” to his grandkids, he found true joy in them. On family beach trips, he’d roll his wheelchair right up to their sandcastle building operation so he wouldn’t miss a minute.

John was quite the renaissance man, spending time as an artistic floral designer, an adventurous traveler, a laugh-until-you-cry-make-your-stomach-hurt comedian, an internationally-influenced home chef, and a published author.

He will be lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of 46 years, Deborah Hettinger; his daughters, Rebekah Fontenot (Jude) and Rachel McLaughlin (Daniel); his grandchildren Claire, Abraham, and Charlotte; his mother, Rose Marie Hettinger; his eleven brothers and sisters and their families: Tony (Carol Sue), Aloyce Black, Gary, Don (JoAnn), Dennis, Annette, Joe (Janet), Julianna Olliges, Jane Herndon (Bob), Marla, and Richard (Rhonda); as well as numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his father, Aloysius Joseph (AJ) Hettinger.

Memorial services will be held at The Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Paul (1795 Johnson Ferry Rd, Marietta, Georgia, 30062). There will be a visitation held on Friday, August 23rd from 5:00 - 8:00 PM with a Memorial Service on Saturday, August 24th at 11:00 AM, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.

A military honors interment and committal service will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to ALS United of Georgia, in memory of John Hettinger. (www.alsgeorgia.org)