MARVIN
HECKENDORF
 SATELLITE BEACH -- Marvin (Heck) Heckendorf, 76, a former
NASA-KSC Chief of Air Operations, retired, died Sunday, December 3, 2000.
 Marv joined the Air Force in 1942 at the age of 18 and became
the youngest aircraft commander in the 8th Air Force, 303rd Bomb Squadron,
Molesworth, England. His final Air Force assignment was eight years with
the Special Air Missions Presidential Squadron in Washington, D.C., during
the Kennedy Administration. He took an early retirement in 1962 to accept
the NASA-KSC position as Chief of Air Operations, where he piloted NASA-4
for Dr. Kurt Debus and senior NASA management during the Gemini, Apollo
and early Shuttle programs. He retired from NASA in 1982 with a combined
40 years of service to his government. He firmly believed that there was
no higher service than that one provides to his/her country. His many
years with the USAF and NASA attested to that belief. His retirement years
were spent traveling and cruising. He and wife, Sandy, were regulars at
the Frontenac Flea Market, where he became known as ''Mr. Hummel''. The
last two years due to health curtailments, he enjoyed the Sterling Casino
day cruises with his large family. Survivors include his wife, Sandy;
daughters, Susan Floyd of Merritt Island and Robin Rothrock of Shreveport,
La.; son, Mark Heckendorf of Merritt Island; five grandchildren; and 16
great-grandchildren. He will be remembered by all for his independence and
courage. Special thanks to his beloved son-in-law, Charles Floyd and thank
you to Patti at Dr. Bansals' office and Brevard Hospice. Services are
private. Donations may be made to the Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals, c/o Murphy Financial Services, Attn. Arthur Person,
P.O. Box 2630, Melbourne, FL 32902.
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