Edward J. Heck

A memorial celebration of life for Edward J. Heck, 67, Contoocook, will be at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, at First Congregational Church in Hopkinton. Burial will be at a later date in the Brainardsville, N.Y., Cemetery.Mr. Heck died Monday, Aug. 18, 2008, at his home, after a long battle with multiple myeloma.He was born Nov. 11, 1940, in Syracuse, N.Y., the son of Edward J. and Eula Mae Widger Heck. He received a Ph.D. degree from Syracuse University in 1968.Mr. Heck was a faculty member at Kansas University for 33 years. He was a professor of educational psychology and later a professor and chairman of the counseling psychology department. He also held a dual appointment as a staff counselor in the University Counseling Center. He was an associate dean for graduate studies in the School of Education for the last few years of his tenure until he retired in 2001.Mr. Heck enjoyed woodworking and reading. He was an accordion player and played with the Don Lipovac Polka Band in Kansas City and more recently the Woody Roberts Band in Contoocook. He enjoyed playing Eastern European ethnic music.Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Nancy, of the home; three sons, Phillip E. and wife Christine, Salt Lake City, Brian A. and wife Kristen, Spokane Valley, Wash., and Thomas J. and wife Karla, Contoocook; four grandchildren, Lyndsey, Taylor, Haley and Ian Heck; and his two Labrador retrievers.He was preceded in death by his parents.The family suggests memorials to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave., Fifth floor, Norwalk, CT 06851 or Concord-Merrimack County SPCA, 130 Washington St., Penacook, NH 03303.