Obituaries

Robert S. Heck, Physician, Gifted Classical Musician, Dies at 84

Physican had practiced family medicine for over 40 years on Chicago's Southwest Side, performed with Southwest Symphony Orchestra.

Services were held Tuesday morning in Oak Lawn for Robert S. Heck, M.D., a retired physician who passed away at age 84 on Dec. 31.

Dr. Heck practiced family medicine for more than four decades on Chicago’s Southwest Side. A former patient recalls him driving up to her family’s home in a T-Bird convertible when doctors still made house calls.

A graduate of South Dakota Medical School and Phi Betta Kappa, Dr. Heck transferred to Northwestern University. From there, he interned at Cook County Hospital and eventually settled into a thriving medical practice on Chicago’s Southwest Side.

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Dr. Heck was a member of the American Board of Family Physicians and was later elected chairman of the board of directors of the Illinois Academy. He was a professor of family practice at Rush Medical College, and a physician at Advocate Christ Medical Center for 40 years.

At age four, Dr. Heck began his formal study in music, becoming a gifted musician. He sang bass with the Dorian Ensemble and played cello with the Southwest Symphony. Together with his late wife, Julie, he performed in the St. Xavier Chamber Orchestra.

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Dr. Heck was the loving father of  Vicki Heck, Jackie Heck, Dr. Rob (Verena) Heck and Melissa (Doug) Edwards.  

He was the cherished grandfather of  Griffin, Quinn, Lilly and Vivian. He also leaves a brother, retired Honorable Donald (Freddie) Heck, and a sister, Leanne (Rev. Curtis) Rolfe.  

Dr. Heck was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Julie, who passed in away in 2012.

A former business associate remembered Dr. Heck and Julie in her online condolences on Legacy.com:

“They were an awesome couple who I annually looked forward to my visit and catching up on their ever changing and interesting lives.”

Former patients, colleagues, friends and family members are invited to leave condolences for Dr. Heck's family at Legacy.com.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made in Dr. Heck’s name to Southwest Symphony Orchestra, 5164 W. 95th

Arrangements were at Thompson & Kuenster Funeral Home in Oak Lawn.

Source: Thompson & Kuenster Funeral Home



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