Franklin Nelson Heck
COLUMBIA — Franklin Nelson Heck, a former MU graduate, died Friday, May 9, 2008. He was 86.
He was born Feb. 6, 1922, in Bartlesville, Okla., to O.B and Gladys Heck.
He graduated from Bartlesville High School in 1940 and went on to attend the University of Kansas. He studied there until World War II, when he enlisted in the Air Force.
While in the Air Force he earned the title of captain, received many commendations and flew 68 missions over Europe in a Martin Marauder Bomber.
After the war, he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s in journalism from the University of Missouri.
Mr. Heck married Elizabeth (Betty) Jane McGuire. She said he was politically conservative and a model of integrity and honesty, with a belief in the goodness of man.
Mr. Heck taught at Christian College in Columbia, now Columbia College, and later worked at newspapers in Kansas and Nebraska.
He was the director of public information at the University of Cincinnati for ten years.
Mr. Heck purchased the Fairfield Echo newspaper in 1973 and published it until his retirement.
His wife, Betty, said his pursuit of perfection in all his endeavors was legendary to all who knew him.
Mr. Heck is survived by his wife; two daughters, Susan Chapman of Pensacola, Fla., and Marianna McKerall of Gulf Shores, Ala.; a son, Franklin Nelson Heck Jr. of Gulf Breeze, Fla.; a sister, Martha Diebold of Foley, Ala.; six grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren.
Two brothers, William and Oscar Heck, died earlier.
He was cremated Wednesday, May 14, 2008. Services were held Friday, May 16, 2008.
Memorial contributions may be sent to the University of Missouri, 401 Reynolds Alumni and Visitors Center, Columbia, MO 65211 for the Centennial Celebration of the School of Journalism.
