A proud veteran of WW II, Robert served in the U.S Marine Corps, participating in five campaigns aboard the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Monterey. While at Pearl Harbor, HI, he entered a boxing tournament, won the heavyweight title, and was presented the championship trophy by former president Gerald Ford. Robert was chosen to return to the U.S. to become an officer in the Marine Corps and was assigned to the V12 Program at Purdue. He played professional football for the San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Hornets, and the Toronto Argonauts. While playing for the Argonauts, he was called back into the Marine Corps at mid-season. He played football for the Quantico Marines where he finished the season before going to Korea in 1950. He was selected to play on the All Star Marine Baseball Team against a Japanese team in Tokyo Stadium. He then served in Korea and received two Purple Hearts and a Letter of Commendation with Combat V for outstanding courage in action. While recuperating at Great Lakes Naval Hospital, he assisted as a defense counselor. He was discharged with the rank of Captain. Robert went on to play pro baseball in Yakima, WA.
His professional endeavors included work in personnel management at AVRO in Toronto, Canada, where he served as Director of Recreation. He was a teacher and head football coach at Rochester, Peru and Mishawaka High Schools in Indiana. In Naples, he filled the following positions: Assistant Principal and teacher at Naples High School, Director of Personnel and Recruitment for Collier County Schools, and co-coach of Naples Pal Gators with two National Championship teams. As St. John Neumann became a high school, Robert was asked to initiate an athletic program and get the necessary athletic facilities constructed. This was done with little if any cost to the school. At St. John Neumann, he became the athletic director and football coach. Later, he became the girls' basketball coach. Committed to his church and community, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a former Grand Knight. He was a member of the DAV, VFW, American Legion, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the Marine Corps League.
Robert is survived by his children, Thomas (Robin) Heck, William (Jennifer) Heck and Daniel S. (Katherine) Heck; granddaughters, Renee Greer and Ronnie Heck.
A proud veteran of WW II, Robert served in the U.S Marine Corps, participating in five campaigns aboard the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Monterey. While at Pearl Harbor, HI, he entered a boxing tournament, won the heavyweight title, and was presented the championship trophy by former president Gerald Ford. Robert was chosen to return to the U.S. to become an officer in the Marine Corps and was assigned to the V12 Program at Purdue. He played professional football for the San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Hornets, and the Toronto Argonauts. While playing for the Argonauts, he was called back into the Marine Corps at mid-season. He played football for the Quantico Marines where he finished the season before going to Korea in 1950. He was selected to play on the All Star Marine Baseball Team against a Japanese team in Tokyo Stadium. He then served in Korea and received two Purple Hearts and a Letter of Commendation with Combat V for outstanding courage in action. While recuperating at Great Lakes Naval Hospital, he assisted as a defense counselor. He was discharged with the rank of Captain. Robert went on to play pro baseball in Yakima, WA.
His professional endeavors included work in personnel management at AVRO in Toronto, Canada, where he served as Director of Recreation. He was a teacher and head football coach at Rochester, Peru and Mishawaka High Schools in Indiana. In Naples, he filled the following positions: Assistant Principal and teacher at Naples High School, Director of Personnel and Recruitment for Collier County Schools, and co-coach of Naples Pal Gators with two National Championship teams. As St. John Neumann became a high school, Robert was asked to initiate an athletic program and get the necessary athletic facilities constructed. This was done with little if any cost to the school. At St. John Neumann, he became the athletic director and football coach. Later, he became the girls' basketball coach. Committed to his church and community, he was a member of the Knights of Columbus and a former Grand Knight. He was a member of the DAV, VFW, American Legion, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the Marine Corps League.
Robert is survived by his children, Thomas (Robin) Heck, William (Jennifer) Heck and Daniel S. (Katherine) Heck; granddaughters, Renee Greer and Ronnie Heck.
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