Arthur Heckle, Jr.

Illegitimi non carborundum. That was one of Art Heckle’s favorite pieces of wisdom. Illegitimi non carborundum. Latin (or mock Latin) meaning “don’t let the bastards grind you down.

Art never let the bastards grind him down. Not in the Depression-era home that housed a dozen family members during his early childhood. Not in slums of St. Louis, where he survived a broken family and became determined to build an enduring one. Not in the mountains of Korea, where he earned medals and stories that would later captivate his grandchildren.

Arthur Anthony Heckle Jr. passed away on Oct. 10, 2024, next to his bride of 73 years. Art was devoted to his wife, Lee; his 4 children; 5 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren, who lovingly referred to him as Pookie. Art was a mentor, a protector, a fiercely loyal man with a sharp wit, and the bane of door-to-door peddlers and used car salesmen.

Art was born on March 4, 1930, in St. Louis, Missouri; raised in a family struggling with hardship and poverty. He passed away at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy as a millionaire. He loved dearly his grandfather Henry, who was the only adult in his life he trusted. In defiance of his parents, Art attended St. Louis University High, a prestigious private school. He remembered fondly the Jesuit priests who instilled in him an unwavering sense of discipline.

That discipline, along with Art’s unshakable integrity and work ethic, carried him through his service with the US Army. Art served in an artillery unit in Korea from 1951 to 1954. He quickly achieved the rank of Master Sergeant and earned a Bronze Star for his heroism. His record should have reflected two Purple Hearts. Art turned those down. He didn’t want his pregnant wife to receive a letter about his injuries. He would later remember his time as a drill sergeant, turning boys into young men, as the highlight of his service.

For many, Art was a hero both long before and long after the war. Somewhere around 1944, Art befriended a kid named Jimmy Sutton. Jimmy had polio in his infancy and walked with crutches. One day, Art saw a group of kids throw Jimmy’s crutches into a fire. He pulled them out, smacked the bullies around and walked Jimmy home while carrying the smoldering crutches.

Art and Jimmy remained friends for decades.

Years after he retired from the military, Art was caught in a chemical plant explosion at his place of work. As the flames raged, Art ran further into the burning plant to rescue a man trapped inside.

But out of everything Art achieved, he was most proud of his marriage and family. Both Art and Lee were children of divorce. Both knew what they didn’t want. Both longed to give their family what they could never have dreamed of. Lee often says, “He saved me.” Their family believes they saved each other. The two married on Aug. 20, 1951. They set an example of what love should be for the next three generations.

Art and Lee moved their three children, Virginia, Vickie and Cindy, from St. Louis to Des Moines in 1961. There, Art worked in veterinary pharmaceuticals, where he earned a reputation as a shrewd leader and an uncompromising businessman. Their son, Christopher, was born in 1965. The family loved to travel — they went skiing in the Rocky Mountains, sailing on the Caribbean Sea, and spent unforgettable summers on Lee’s family farm.

Art was a fixer. An avid mechanic since his teens, Art kept a lifelong passion for cars. His family relied on his ability to repair just about everything (even if he swore while doing so.)

Art Heckle was the epitome of the American dream. Through pure grit and stubbornness, Art broke the cycle of abuse and poverty, providing his family with the life he never had.

His accomplishments are summed up by the ‘farewells’ in every chapter of his life. When he left Korea, his unit lined up on both sides of the road to salute him goodbye. When he retired, his company provided him with a “golden parachute” pension, far above his position. When he died, his family traveled across the country to care for his wife and honor his memory.

The lessons Art passed down will live in his family forever. Work hard. Build your own success. Love with unwavering dedication. Protect those you care about. And never let the bastards grind you down.

Art was proceeded in death by his daughter, Virginia (Tim) Mikkelsen.

He is survived by his wife, Lee Heckle; his children Vickie (Nick) DeFino, Cindy Heckle and Christopher (Julie) Heckle; grandchildren Mandy (Jon) Falbo, Ben (Lea) Mikkelsen, Anji (Mark) McCormick; Michael (Mary) Heckle, Emily Heckle; and his great-grandchildren Giovanni and Bishop Falbo; Matilda and Rowan Mikkelsen; and Liam, Aria, Gabe, Serafina, Niko, Lochlan, Rafael, Magdalena and Ophelia McCormick.

Art’s life was celebrated privately by his family. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Christ The King in memory or Art Heckle. (Christ the King Catholic Church 5711 SW 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315, www.christthekingparish.org)