JOE KEITH HEILHECKER, a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend entered into a peaceful rest Monday, January 18, 2010 at 5:45 p.m., he was 75 years young. Joe was born August 13, 1934 in Chillicothe, TX to John Philip and Susie Mae Heil-hecker. He was an accom­plished research engineer with numerous oil & gas patents, an avid supporter of his alumni Texas A&M University where he received his mechanical en­gineering degree (A&M class of 1961, masters in 1962), and a former U.S. Marine Captain Fighter pilot serving his coun­try from 1953 to 1960. Joe had retired to Pagosa Springs, CO to enjoy his love of golfing, snowmobiling, and skiing in the mountains. Joe is survived by his wife, Kathryn Van De­ment Heilhecker; his children: Katherine Nixon (A&M Class of '90) and her husband, Ken, Brad Heilhecker, Wesley Heil­hecker (A&M Class of '82), Bonnie Stubblefield and her husband, Stephen, Michael Heilhecker and his wife, Ash­ley, and Kimberley Mulkey and her husband, Chuck. He also had close children by marriage: Karen Smith and her husband, Rick, Stephen Barren, Alan Barron (A&M Class of '84) and his wife, Kamali, Linda Lafferty (A&M Class of '84) and her husband, Chuck, Ric Williams and his wife, Loretta, Linda Es-pinoza and her husband, Mickey and Jackie Galanti and her husband,Joseph.Joe leaves his sister: Roberta "Bobbie" Heilhecker Skidmore, and hus­band, Wally of El Paso, TX; and his nephews: James Skid-more and his wife, Kelley, John Skidmore and his wife, Veronica, Tom Skidmore and his wife, Beth, Ron Heilhecker and his wife, Edith. Carrying on Joe's legacy are his grand­children: Caitlin and Kristen Stubblefield, Marissa, Ryann, and HalliMae Heilhecker, Ka-mela, Haylee, and Autumn Mulkey, Brittany and Laura Ashley Smith, Ryann, Taylor, and Chase Barron, Amanda Kay, Jessica, and Christopher Lafferty, Courtney Love, Kelley and Kaylor Williams, Jessica Espinoza, Jennifer Staiano and Gabriella Gagliardi; as well as other loving relatives and friends.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Friday, January 29, 2010 at Forest Park Westheimer, 12800 Westhei­mer Road. A celebration of Joe's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2010 in the chapel at Forest Park Westheimer. A graveside service and committal will fol­low immediately. In lieu of the usual remembrances, memorial contributions in Joe's honor may be made to the Texas A&M Foundation, either online at givenow.tamu.edu or by mail to Texas A&M Foundation, 401 George Bush Drive, College Station, TX 77840.