Top Banner for Lewis C. Heckroth Obituary
Lewis C. Heckroth Obituary

Brought to you by McLaughlin Mortuary

Lewis C. Heckroth

Fort Walton Beach, FL

March 8, 1923 - September 8, 2020

Lewis C. Heckroth Obituary

Lewis C. Heckroth

                                                           1923 – 2020

Lewis C. “Rocky” Heckroth, LtCol, USAF, Retired, age 97 of Shalimar, left his earthly home on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 and now dwells in the home of his heavenly Father for all eternity.  Lewis was born in Duluth, MN on Mar 8, 1923 to Ruth and Lewis Heckroth Sr.

He graduated from Denfield High School (Duluth) in 1940 and then enrolled in Duluth State Teachers College.  In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and began his meteorology training at the University of Michigan and completed training at Chanute Field, IL.  He became a 2nd Lt in June 1944.

He had numerous statewide assignments from 1944 – 1948.  From 1948 – 1952, he served in the Northeast Air Command (Newfoundland, Greenland, and Iceland).  He then spent 2 years in New Mexico and 2 years in Japan.  While in the Air Force, he completed his bachelor’s degree at the now University of Minnesota at Duluth.  From 1956 to 1958, he attended Texas A&M University and graduated with a Master’s degree in Meteorology.  From 1958 to 1963 he returned to Chanute AFB, IL where he worked in the Dept. of Weather Training.  In 1964, he retired at Offutt AFB in Omaha, NE.  Within weeks of retirement, he became a charter faculty member at Okaloosa-Walton Community College where he taught and chaired the Mathematics Dept. until he retired in 1992.

While in Chanute, he became involved with bowling administration and was the first military member of the Champaign County Bowling Association.  Bowling work was a hobby for the rest of his life. 

In April 1965, he was elected secretary of the Okaloosa County Bowling Association and served in that position until April 1982.  He remained active in that group, serving on committees until his death.  He also served on the Board of Directors for the local area, state, and regional organizations.  He has been elected to the Halls of Fame for Okaloosa County, Florida State Bowling Association, and the Southern Bowling Congress for meritorious service.  He also participated in 47 National American Bowling Congress Tournaments.

Rocky was preceded in death by his mother and father and wife Helen.  Rocky is survived by his 6 sons, Randy Herbon (Joyce) , Whittier, Ca. Peter (Cindy) Tucson, AZ, Allan (Hsueh-Feng), San Ramon, Ca, Curtis Leroy Sand Point, Id; John (Eriko), Rancho Palo Verde, Ca. ; Paul (Kay) Tallahassee, Fl.; 15 Grandchildren, 7 Great Grand Children, and 3 great -great grandchildren.  Also surviving is his long time loving caregiver, Bernadette Thomson and her family.

            Life’s Race Well Run

              Life’s Work Well Done

            Life’s Victory Won

            Now Cometh Rest

The family will receive friends at a visitation on Friday, Sept. 11th, 2020 from 10-11 a.m. at the McLaughlin Mortuary Chapel.  A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with John Macon and Herstel Carter officiating.  Following services burial will be in Beal Memorial Cemetery with Military Honors.  In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation to the Emerald Coast Bowling Association.

Expressions of love and sympathy can be viewed or submitted online at www.mclaughlinmortuary.com

To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Lewis C. Heckroth hosted by McLaughlin Mortuary.

Events

Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Lewis C. Heckroth.