Robert E. Hecht Sr.

On December 3, 2016, Robert E. Hecht, Sr. died peacefully at Charlestown Retirement Community. He is survived by his ten children: Marion A. Hecht, Robert E. Hecht, Jr., Catherine H. Young, Frances H. Becker, Patricia M. Hecht, Susan H. Maggio, Thomas A. Hecht, Teresa H. Valais, Margaret H. Gillespie and William Y. Hecht. His beloved wife of 59 years, Marion Stout Hecht, preceded him in death in 2009. 22 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren also survive him.

Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1925, Mr. Hecht received a Ph.B. from Loyola University Chicago and a LB from Marquette University Law School. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and the Korean War attaining the rank of Lt. Commander.

After leaving active duty in the Navy in 1954, Mr. Hecht became a FBI Special Agent until 1959 when he accepted a position with Baltimore Federal Savings and Loan Association (later Baltimore Federal Financial, FSA). He became its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in 1974. He served on numerous boards, many in leadership capacity.

After retiring from banking in 1988, Mr. Hecht served as Board President of Catholic Charities of Baltimore and volunteered at its homeless shelter, Christopher Place. He was a board member and adjunct faculty member at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. He also was a member of the Secular Franciscan Order and in 1990 received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Papal Medal.

Friends may call at Sterling-Ashton-Schwab-Witzke Funeral Home, 1630 Edmonson Ave., Catonsville, MD on Thursday, December 8, 2016 from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel in the Charlestown Retirement Community, 711 Maiden Choice Lane, Catonsville, on Friday, December 9, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the service. As there will be no parking at Charlestown, vehicle parking for the funeral service will be at Our Lady of Victory Parish, 4416 Wilkens Ave., Baltimore, MD 21229. Charlestown will be providing shuttle service to and from the chapel. Interment immediately follows at Woodlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers or other expressions of sympathy, contributions are encouraged to The Childrens’ Fund of Catholic Charities of Baltimore, 320 Cathedral St., Baltimore, MD 21201, Attn: Bill McCarthy or online @ www.cc-md.org.