Richard A. Heck

Richard A. Heck age 73 of Belle Fourche, and formerly Bison, died Tuesday July 20, 2010 at the Fort Meade VA Medical Center in Sturgis, following a year-long fight against acute leukemia. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 9:30 AM Monday July 26th, 2010 at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Bison, with Father Tony Grossenburg officiating.  Visitation will be held 2 to 4 pm Sunday at Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche, and one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be held 2:30 PM Monday at Black Hills National Cemetery, with Military Rites performed by the Belle Fourche Veterans Honor Guard. Richard Arnold Heck was born March 29, 1937 in Gettysburg South Dakota.  He was the son of Arnold and Lois (O’Haugen) Heck.  Richard grew up in Gettysburg until he was in first grade, when he moved with his family to Bison, where he graduated from high school in 1957.  Following school, Richard began working for a road construction contractor in Montana.  This lasted for about 6 months, when he entered the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.  During part of his two years of service, Richard was stationed in Germany where he witnessed the construction of the Berlin Wall.  On September 5, 1964 he was united in marriage to Geraldine Meisner in Rapid City. Together they raised 3 daughters: Ruth, Christy, and Linda.  Richard worked as a heavy equipment operator for many years.  For 3 years he worked for the Delzer Construction Company and following he worked for his father for many years.  In 1985 his father died, and Richard continued operating the family business until his retirement.  Throughout his many working years, Richard worked on several interesting projects, including the construction of Interstates 90 and 29, and other local projects of interest.  During his many years of living in Bison, Richard served as a driver for the EMT Responders.  For the past several years, Richard and Geraldine have lived in Belle Fourche. Richard enjoyed the outdoors, playing cards, and music.  Even though he hardly ever did it, when it came to dancing, Richard was pretty talented at it.  He loved visiting with his friends, especially his hours each day of having coffee at the local truck stop.  Richard will be remembered for being a “jack of all trades” and the ability he had to fix anything that needed fixing.  He was a pilot and he loved flying, especially to all the ambulance meetings in Huron.  Richard loved his family very much, and he was especially proud of his grandchildren.  He loved and adored them very much.  Husband, Father, and Grandfather: he will be missed greatly.  Richard is survived by his wife, Geraldine Heck of Belle Fourche; daughters, Ruth McMullen of Wasilla Alaska, Christy (Dwight) Kolb of Bison, Linda (JJ) Gould of Boise Idaho; 5 grandchildren, Dan McMullen, Alyssa Kolb, Grace, Sam, and Katelyn Gould; great grandchild, Ayden McMullen; and brother, Robert Heck of Bison. He was preceded in death by his parents. DATE OF BIRTH March 29, 1937 – Gettysburg, South Dakota DATE OF DEATH July 20, 2010 – Sturgis, South Dakota           MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL 9:30 A.M. – Monday – July 26th, 2010 Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Bison, South Dakota CELEBRANT Father Tony Grossenburg MUSIC Organist – Holly Waddell       Cantor – Karen Voeller “On Eagle’s Wings”, “Amazing Grace”, “Be Not Afraid” CASKETBEARERS Tom Brockel                                          Dennis Lewton Jim Englehart                                         Donnie Palmer Harold Heupel                                               Mick Quaal INURNMENT 2:30 P.M. - Monday - July 26th, 2010      Black Hills National Cemetery Sturgis, South Dakota Military Honors By Belle Fourche Veterans Honor Guard