Raymond Frederick Heck

Rick was born to Edward Ralph and Dorothy Margaret (Ducsay) Heck on July 10, 1951, in Covina, California. He graduated from Glendora High School in 1969 and attended Citrus College before transferring to San Diego State University where he earned his BA in Recreation Management.

After graduating college, Rick settled in San Diego, where he lived for the next 50 years. He began his career as a server, restaurant manager, and bartender at various North County San Diego restaurants. In 1978, he joined Deck Coatings Inc., a fledgling deck-waterproofing company. He bought into the company in 1995 and spent the next 26 years building it. Though the company’s name and ownership structure changed over time, Rick’s persistence, devotion to customer service, and entrepreneurial energy were the driving force of the business until he sold it in 2021 and retired to Rancho Mirage.

A lifelong bachelor, Rick met the love of his life, Jo Ellen (Northrup), in 2014. They married at the Balboa Yacht Club in Corona Del Mar on July 15, 2017.

Rick was a Christian, and he walked in his faith.

Inspired by that faith, he knew how to love. He cherished his wife, and family was everything. He had an especially close relationship with his parents, a connection that lasted until their deaths. He was a devoted brother, uncle, brother-in-law, son-in-law, and friend. He was truly caring, filled with loving kindness and welcome wisdom.

Rick was generous, always sharing the fruits of his labors with others, whether it was buying co-workers a round after work, helping a friend in need, or donating to a cause.

He was meticulous to a fault and a total neatnik – qualities that sometimes led to teasing at home but nevertheless served him well in business, where he earned the loyalty and respect of his employees and customers. His penchant for making and checking off lists was legendary.

He enjoyed a good time and loved celebrating anything. Rick’s favorite pastime was sharing food and wine with family and friends. Nothing made him happier than uncorking a new discovery or reminiscing about a trip to a vineyard over a generously filled glass. Hawaii was his favorite destination, and he liked traveling in style. Every check-in was an opportunity for an upgrade.

Rick embraced vintage classics. He loved 50’s and 60’s music, classic cars (and watching them being restored), and classic wooden boats. He enjoyed the Palm Springs area, reveling in the glamor of yesterday’s movie stars and singers.

Rick always wanted to build things that last. He built a business, he built strong relationships all his life, and he saved his most rewarding project for his final years when he built a life and a home with Jo Ellen.

To know Rick was to know love.

Rick is survived by his wife, Jo Ellen, his brother Wayne (wife Cate) of Newport Beach, his niece Hayley Burchell (husband Duke) of Costa Mesa, his nephews Sean and Ryan Heck, and his grandnephews Kai, Banx, Wyatt, and Gavin.

He is predeceased by his parents, Ed and Dorothy, and his brother James.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Rick on January 26, 2023, at 11:30 am at the Balboa Yacht Club, 1801 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar, CA.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made “In Memory of Rick Heck” to the Balboa Island Museum at (https://www.balboaislandmuseum.org/donate/ or by check to 331 Marine Avenue, Newport Beach, CA 92662) or Kerus Global Education (at https://kerusglobal.org/donate/ or by check to 245 Newman Ave., Suite B, Harrisonburg, VA 22801).