Robert Dale Heckart was born on July 5, 1927 in Limon, Oklahoma (an oil camp). He was the son of Arlie Heckart and Rose (Abbott) Heckart. Robert grew up near Fairfax, Oklahoma where he received his early education. He was the valedictorian of his graduating class in 1945 at Fairfax High School. Robert entered the U.S. Navy during WWII and served from 1945-1947 as a Yeoman 3rd Class. After his honorable discharge, he furthered his education by attending Oklahoma University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering in 1950. On April 4, 1952, Robert and Verschelle "Schelle" Linnean were united in marriage in Phillips, Texas where they made their first home. In 1958, Robert moved the family to Little Chief (an oil camp) near Fairfax. They moved to Bartlesville in 1963 where they made their home until Schelle's death in October of 1980. Robert worked and traveled extensively overseas with Phillips Petroleum Company, designing and building chemical and plastic plants. After retirement, Robert continued his residence in Bartlesville before moving to Norman, Oklahoma. He was later moved to Tulsa. Robert was in the Lions Club for over 20 years, serving as president for some of that time. He was also a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, Alpha Chi Sigma, American Institute of Chemical Engineers, OU Engineering Club, and a Freemason. During his early years, he was very active and held memberships associated with his employment, as well as community involvement. Robert was preceded in death by his wife, Verschelle "Schelle" Linnean Heckart; and his parents, Arlie and Rose Heckart. Survivors include his son, Terence D. Heckart and his wife, Shevaun Williams, of Norman Oklahoma; his daughters, Cynthia Heckart Kesselhuth Achenbach and her husband, Lee, of Keizer, Oregon; and Susan Heckart Rose and her husband, David, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; three grandchildren, Angie Kesselhuth Miller and her husband, Geoff, of Salem, Oregon; Adrianne Thomas Rose of Oakland, California; Megan Gamero and her husband, Ray, of Norman, Oklahoma. six great-grandchildren, triplets, Xander, Tyson and Alexis Miller, and Genevieve, Josephine, and Antonia Gamero; three brothers, Steve Heckart and his wife, Barbara, of Yellow Springs, Ohio, Bill Heckart and his wife, Ann, of Breckenridge, Texas, Coleman Heckart of Costa Rica; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. Memorial donations in Robert's memory may be forwarded to Wounded Warriors Project, 4899 Belfort Rd., Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256, or to the charity of the donor's choice.
Visitation Details
Thursday, August 20th, 2015 9:00am - 8:00pm, Arnold Moore & Neekamp Funeral Home
Service Details
Friday, August 21st, 2015 1:00pm, Boston Avenue United Methodist Church - Rose Chapel
Interment Details
Memorial Park Cemetery Bartlesville