Article Number : 3505 |
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| Date | 7/30/2008 8:45:55 AM |
| Written By | LGM & Associates Technical Flooring Services |
| View this article at: | //floorbiz.com/BizResources/NPViewArticle.asp?ArticleID=3505 |
| Abstract | GRANTS PASS, ORE.—Henry “Hank” Heckman, an industry veteran who worked as a retailer, was known as an educator and remained an avid member and supporter of several flooring associations, passed away... |
| Article | GRANTS PASS, ORE.—Henry “Hank” Heckman, an industry veteran who worked as a retailer, was known as an educator and remained an avid member and supporter of several flooring associations, passed away here on June 17. He was 90 years old. Making his world debut as Henry F. Heckman on May 16, 1918 in Seattle, “Hank” was an Eagle Scout as a young boy. After graduating from Wright Junior College in Chicago— where he obtained his first flooring job—he joined the Army as a member of the Quartermaster company in Guam. He retired on April 28, 1947, after four years of service as a lieutenant colonel. He married Elizabeth Grace James on Aug. 24, 1947 in San Francisco, and later moved to San Jose to manage the retail store, Floorcraft, in 1959. He purchased the operation in the early ’60s, and continued growing the business until the mid ’90s when he retired to Grants Pass, Ore. During his time as a dealer, Heckman took an active interest in the industry. He was one of the founders of the Western Floor Covering Association, where he served as president and was a lifetime member. He also gained recognition as an advocate of installer education and served as a trustee for the Resilient Flooring Pension Fund, covering the Western states. “Hank was my mentor,” said Carl Biggs, president and CEO of Harry L. Murphy in San Jose, and longtime friend. “Our stores were only a block apart, and immediately Hank helped me get involved in the Western association, first as a member of the convention planning committee, and later I served as a director and then president. “Hank was always a giver,” he continued. “He will be sorely missed as a supporter and encourager of the industry and for the many ways he served it over the years.” Paul Pumphrey of Cleaver Carpet Center in Pueblo, Colo., and industry veteran, agreed calling Hank iconic. “He had quite a personality; he was an absolutely loveable guy.” Pumphrey recounted Heckman as full of life, dependable and devoted to his wife, family and the industry. “People always wanted to be around Hank because he was so spirited. He will be missed.” In his later years, Heckman enjoyed golfing and spending time in Puako, Hawaii. He was predeceased by his wife, Betty, who died in 2004, and survived by his son Kenn of San Jose, daughter Susan Melnychuk of Grants Pass, and two grandchildren. Donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Association in honor of Heckman. |