John F. Hechinger 1928 - 2018

John F. Hechinger, 90, of Chicago and Naples, Fla., died Oct. 8, 2018. He was born July 24, 1928.

He was the loving son of the late Michael Vincent Hechinger and the late Gertrude Irene (Foley) Hechinger; adoring husband of his college sweetheart, Mary Kathryn (O'Brien) Hechinger; proud and devoted father of Mark T. (Kathleen nee Aamodt) Hechinger, Kathleen M. (Michael P.) Kane, and Brian M. (Rosemarie nee Georgine) Hechinger; joyous grandfather of Michael G. Hechinger, Patrick J. Hechinger, James P. Kane, Anna E. Kane, Daniel J. Kane, Isabel R. Hechinger, Caroline F. Hechinger, and John J. Hechinger; dear brother to the late Gertrude A. Lachman and the late Capt. Robert M. Hechinger, (West Point and U.S. Air Force, Retired.); loved uncle of Michael, Christopher and Erich Lachman and Neil O'Brien and Rachel (O'Brien) Clemons.

He was born in Chicago and attended St. Viator, St. Mel's High School, Loyola University, and Chicago Kent College of Law. He practiced law in Illinois for over 50 years. He was appointed as judge in 1966 and he was elected to the Circuit Court of Cook County in 1970 and remained a judge until 1987. During his 21 years on the bench, he served in juvenile court, eight years in the felony division of the Cook County Criminal Courts, and 11 years in Cook County civil division. He became presiding judge of the chancery division in 1981 and handled a variety of notable cases including the firefighter's strike in 1980.

Upon his retirement from the bench, he spent 12 years associated with the law firm of Rock, Fusco, Reynolds and Garvey. He was a 50-year member of the American Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association, and Chicago Bar Association, and taught as an adjunct professor of law at John Marshall Law School and DePaul Law School.