Robert “Bob” Heesch, 87, of Brookings, died Thursday, Oct. 12, 2017, at the Brookings hospital. Memorial services are at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church in Brookings. Burial is in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation is Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at Eidsness Funeral Home.
Robert William Heesch was born Dec. 14, 1929, to William and Nellie (Schulte-Waalkes) Heesch on a farm outside of Elkton. He grew up in Brookings County, attending school in Elkton and rural schools before entering school in Brookings. He graduated from Brookings High School in 1947. In February of 1951, Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and began his service in Korea. Leaving Korea as a corporal, he was recommended for commission as an officer. For the next 30-plus years, including Vietnam, he rose through the ranks of the Marine Corps and retired as a colonel. His entire career covered a span of 32 years.
In September of 1953, he married Marilyn J. Leonhardt and they began their life together as a family. Upon his retirement from active military service, he and his wife returned to Brookings.
In Brookings, Bob was a member of the American Legion, DAV, Forty and eight, VFW, Korean War Veterans, and Marine Corps League. In addition to military service organizations, Bob was also active in the Brookings Area Genealogical Society, Friends of the Library and the First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Marilyn; children, David (Judi) Heesch of Florida, Michael (Keri) Heesch of Utah, Karen Heesch Lakes of Missouri, and Stephen (Tina) Heesch of Brookings; son-in-law, Jim Harbison of Montana ; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother, Orville Heesch of Oregon; sister, Ardis Kansanback of Washington; two sisters-in-law, Dona (Paul) Packer of Michigan and Linda Smith of Minnesota; one brother-in-law, Robert (Jane) Leonhardt of Sioux Falls; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Heesch Harbison; granddaughter, Suzy Lakes; siblings: Orlene Heinbaugh, John Waalkes, Marie Crockett, Hestor Barnes, Hilbert Heesch, and Ralph Waalkes.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Brookings Veterans Memorial or Brookings First United Methodist Church Building Fund.
