Brian Robert Heckman

Brian Robert Heckman, age 43, of Kettering, Ohio, was called home to be with the Lord on February 2, 2021. Brian was all things good and bright and certain. It is nearly impossible to put into words how much he was loved and how greatly he will be missed, most of all by his “girls”.… loving wife, Jennifer (Fraley), daughters Camryn (Andrew Tracy) and Addison; as well as his newborn grandson, Wyatt Robert.

His untimely death came following a grueling three month ‘battle back’ from a traumatic injury, sustained as a result of a horrible accident that took place back on Halloween. The odds were stacked up against him; however, anyone blessed enough to know and love Brian, knew that the fire inside of him and the strength of his love would light his path back to recovery. Family, friends and perfect strangers showered him with support; storming heaven by lifting him up in prayers for a miracle. In the end, everyone leaves this world in the middle of a story; however, Brian’s life ended abruptly and tragically, for reasons unrelated to his original injury; and not just in the middle of a story, but in the middle of what some may say was the miracle they had been praying for. Brian loved his life and fought tirelessly until his final breathe. The only trace of comfort is in knowing that his parents, Kenneth and Deborah (Nicholas) Heckman welcomed him home with open arms. Brian has long awaited the feeling of his father’s embrace after losing him at the young age of 11. Joined by his mom back in April, it is with faith we know that they are walking the streets of glory, hand in hand, pain free and we will see them again in God’s time.

Brian also leaves behind his sister Christie and twin brother Keith (Jenny); Kevin Skrlac; grandmothers, Geraldine Nicholas and Irene Norris; parents in law, Steve & Mary Jo Fraley, and loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and countless friends, all of which he loved dearly. His family meant the world to him, he was loyal and dependable and would have done anything for any one of them.

Brian graduated from Fairmont High School with the Class of ’96; and shortly thereafter, began his lifelong career at Catwood Metalworks. For 24 years, Brian’s work ethic was simply unparalleled; he was committed to his company, the quality of his work and to being efficient. He was skilled, dedicated and cared deeply about the people he worked with, all of which he considered close friends. He was convicted in the fact that success in life and with work, begins and ends with SHOWING UP. And showing up was what he did….

Despite his diligence with work, there was not one day, one time, one event that Brian missed in his wife and children’s lives. He was ALWAYS there, in every sense of the word, and although Brian brought light into every aspect of his world, his purpose here on earth was undeniable. Etched out carefully and meticulously, Brian Heckman defined what being a good Daddy means. The moment he walked into Jenni and Camryn’s life, he had the ability to fill the gap, prove love is thicker than blood, mend two hearts at one time, and provide the never-ending love and hope that many people only dream of finding. God gifted him with patience like no other, humor that would keep his girls smiling and laughing throughout the years, strong arms to help lift them up when they fell and embrace them with a hug unlike any other. Brian participated in every aspect of parenting, he was as good of a mom as the best of them…changing diapers, bath time, shopping for clothes, dresses (or cars), cooking, cleaning, dancing in the kitchen, singing (or belting out) our favorite music…you name it, he was submerged in it.

Brian’s world revolved around his girls; and at the center, was the love of his life Jenni. There was no mistaking the way he felt about her, even in the beginning when they met as “just friends”, a stranger would have known the way he felt just by the way he looked at her. And that look, the way his eyes smiled when he was around her, would quickly and inevitably tear down her walls and steal her heart. That look would be the same on the day they were married and every day following. He was a hopeless romantic, he enjoyed spending time at home with her and the kids, dancing in the kitchen was “the norm”, he never minded working around the house, cooking, cleaning, grilling (his Brian burger will be forever missed) and he took pride in his meticulously maintained yard. There was nothing better than a weekend in the fall, windows open, his favorite people surrounding him, Buckeyes on Saturday, Browns on Sunday, vodka-tonic in hand…this was the life. And an extraordinary life it was, which is precisely why saying goodbye is so impossible.

Brian Robert Heckman, there is no better man, better father, better husband. His love was intense, fierce, and undying. “You will forever be the man of my dreams, the man my heart longs for. You have filled my world with overwhelming happiness and love for the past 20 years, and while I have no idea how I will ever live the rest of my days without you here with me, I do know that my memories of us and the extraordinary love that we share will continue to light my path forward, eventually guiding me home into your arms, right where I belong. ILYM BRH…you can’t get rid of me that easy” ~ All my Love, all my Life…Jennifer Anne

Please join us in honoring and remembering Brian’s life: Visitation for friends and family will be held from 4:00pm-7:00pm on Friday, February 12, 2021 at Tobias Funeral Home in Kettering. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Kettering