Charles B. Hetrick

Charles (Chuck) Brady Hetrick, 84, of Tallahassee FL, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 27, 2016. He was preceded in death by his mother Emma Klinger Hetrick, father Norman Charles Hetrick, and sister Jane (Ben) Graves. He was born in Bloomington, Indiana on January 16, 1932. Growing up in Bloomington, he was an Eagle Scout, a straight-A high school student, and graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science degree. He played trumpet in the Indiana University Marching 100, and performed at football games across the Big 10. He married Virginia Claire Venable, of Franklin, Indiana, in 1954 at the First Presbyterian Church in Franklin, Indiana. While they divorced in 1980, they remained good friends throughout their lives.

Chuck’s family was the center of his life and he loved spending time with his sons and grandchildren. As his sons grew up, he served as Boy Scout Leader, and took the boys on many camping and canoeing adventures. A renaissance man, he was a wine connoisseur, book collector, and writer. He loved to cook for his family and friends; Beef Wellington was his signature dish. He was an avid college football fan and loved to watch and attend games with his father and sons. Chuck was a US Army Veteran, serving in Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio, Tx. from 1953-1955, achieving the rank of 2nd Lt. He then earned a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Michigan, and went on to a career in local public management, serving as Assistant City Manager of Park Ridge Illinois, Executive Director of the Fort Worth Area Chamber of Commerce, and County Manager of Rock County Wisconsin. He then served as County Administrator of Hernando County Fla., from 1986-1999 followed by his retirement to Tallahassee, Fla.

He is survived by his ex-wife Virginia Venable Hetrick of Tallahassee, sons Keith (Susan) Hetrick of Tallahassee, David Hetrick of Fresno, Ca., and John (Cheryl) Hetrick of Powell, Ohio; five grandchildren: Cassie, Joslyn, Emma, Kayla, and Audra; and two nieces: Jill (Shaun) Hare and Cindy Graves, and many other family members. A family memorial service is being planned and will be announced at a later date.