George F. Heck

George Fredrick Heck, age 94 of Woodstock, formally of Crystal Lake, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2025 at home surrounded by his loving family and devoted caregiver.

George was born in Chicago on November 15, 1930 to Johanna and George Heck Sr. He graduated from Lane Tech High School in 1948. He then attended the University of Illinois graduating in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sanitary Engineering. Upon his graduation, he married his college sweetheart, Micki Chialtas, in July. In September, he was commissioned into the Air Force as a Second Lieutenant. He served two years of active duty until 1954 as an Air Installation Officer at Pope Air Force based in which time he was promoted to a First Lieutenant. Upon his honorary discharge, he and Micki returned to Illinois and settled in Crystal Lake where they raised their three daughters.

George had a very long and successful career at Baxter and Woodman. He began as a consulting sanitary engineer with the firm in 1954 and retired as the Chairman of the Board and CEO in 1994. During this time, he became a Registered Professional Engineer and also obtained his Master of Science degree in Environmental Engineering in 1968 from the Illinois Institute of Technology where he was honored as a Diplomat in the American Academy of Environmental Engineers with special qualifications for the design of municipal and industrial water supply and wastewater disposal systems. During his career with Baxter and Woodman, he served as the city engineer for not only Crystal Lake but many surrounding cities in which he had a major role in developing their water and sewer systems. He was a member, and later President, of the American Civil Engineering Counsel of Illinois from the late 1980s to the time of his retirement in 1994.

George was active in many organizations including the Jaycees, Crystal Lake Library Board, Raue Center for the Arts, President’s Councilman of the University of Illinois, and Director of the University of Illinois Civil Engineering Alumni Association. He most recently was a very active member of the Enterprise Club of McHenry County.

After George and Micki divorced in 1988, George married Joice Frick in 1989 who died in 1993. In 1994, George married Carol Hayes and they lived in Ridgefield, IL. The enjoyed 30 years together with frequent travels all over the world, playing golf, attending the University of Illinois Fighting Illini football games in Champaign, playing bridge, socializing with their friends at the Crystal Lake Country Club, spending quality time with their family, and enjoying their evening cocktail together with their Cockapoo dog, Shadow.

George is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jim, and all three of his wives.

He is survived by his three daughters, Linda (Ted) Lohmann, Cathy (Ron) Aney and Nancy (Tom) Ogden; six grandchildren, Melissa (Shawn) Maya, Bradley (Tracy) Aney, Amy (Cory) Rieber, Kimberly Lohmann, Colin (Rachel) Ogden and Landon Ogden; four great-grandchildren, Alayna Maya, Ashua Maya, Brayden Aney and Peyton Aney; and his caregiver, Martin Ndopu.

A memorial service and celebration of George’s life will he held at his lifelong church, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, 485 Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake on May 3rd. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am until his service at 11 am. A celebration of life luncheon will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in George’s memory may be made to St. Paul’s United Church of Christ or JourneyCare Hospice.