Henry Langhurst “Hank” Heck, Jr., of Hampden Township, died Friday, February 23, 2024, at home, he was 88 years old. Born January 4, 1936 in Natrona Heights, PA he was the son of the late Henry L. and Katherine S. Heck. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Josephine W. “Jody” Heck, formerly of Hampden Township.
His greatest passions were his family, friends, Bridge, and Pittsburgh sports.
Mr. Heck was a veteran of the United States Navy into which he was commissioned as an Ensign after completing Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, and went on to serve at the Philadelphia Naval Base as a legal officer, where he met his wife-to-be, Josephine Whiteley. He was assigned to the U.S.S. Newman K. Perry (DDR-883) as Gunnery Officer (Weapons Officer) during the Cuban Missile crisis. He completed active duty as a Lieutenant in April 1963 and returned home to Natrona Heights, PA.
Hank worked in the Pittsburgh area for Sun Oil Company for five years before accepting a position with the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors (“APC”) as Director of Field Operations moving to Harrisburg, PA in January 1969. In 1980, he became the Executive Vice President of APC which membership includes highway and bridge contractors and related companies. APC advocates for public funding in support of Pennsylvania’s transportation needs. During this time, he also held leadership positions with the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE), The Harrisburg Trade Association Executives (HTAE) and The Pennsylvania Society of Association Executives (PaSAE). After 32 years with APC, Hank retired in February 2001.
He served as a school director for the Cumberland Valley School District for over a decade.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Camp Hill; the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks Lodge in Camp Hill; and Member of Harrisburg Bridge Club. He was a former member of the West Shore Country Club for over 40 years.
Surviving are his son, David C. Heck of Hooksett, NH, husband of Mary Heck; two daughters, Pamela J. Long of Mechanicsburg, wife of Robert R. Long, Jr., and Melinda Sue Shaffer of Palm City, FL, wife of Nate Shaffer; seven grandsons, two granddaughters, a great-grandson, and his dear friend, Grace Ann Chuhinka.
Mr. Heck attended Colgate University in Hamilton, New York and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and the Naval School of Justice.
A visitation will be held on Thursday evening, February 29, from 6 pm to 8 pm at Neill Funeral Home, 3401 Market Street, Camp Hill, with funeral services the following day, March 1, at Trinity Lutheran Church, Camp Hill, beginning at 1 p.m.
