Sue Heckart's contributions lauded

I had the honor to be in Sedalia last week to help celebrate the 40th Anniversary of State Fair Community College as well as the dedication of the beautiful new Heckart Health and Allied Science Center.

  I was moved by the service of dedication, and as I was admiring the surroundings of the new facility I was impressed with all the hard work, blood, sweat, and tears that went into making the facility what it is today.

   Having served on a university board of trustees myself, I want to commend the people of 40 years ago who had the foresight and wisdom to see the need for an institution of higher learning in Sedalia. I commend all the administration, faculty, and staff as well as trustees who have worked to see the college be able to celebrate this milestone of accomplishment.

   Lastly, but certainly not least, I want to commend Sedalia funeral director and business leader Sue Heckart for her generous contribution to the project. I have known Sue for most of my adult life. Her parents, Del and Stella, came to Sedalia in 1948 and established themselves in what would become one of the most admired funeral establishments in the state. Through the years, the Heckarts have given over and over again to many causes where they received little or no recognition. This generosity touched countless lives and it was always given with a joyful heart. I was moved when I heard that Sue decided to give this historic gift to State Fair Community College, but while being moved, I was not surprised.
 Many people in this world focus on hoarding money and building empires, Sue’s gift teaches all of us that it is more blessed to give than to receive. Sue continues to give on a daily basis to the families that enter her business each day, She and her professional staff show compassion, charity and understanding at the worst moment in any family’s life.

   The world is a far better place because of people like Sue Heckart.

Kenneth R. Howe
Lebanon