Commander
Maurice A. Hecht, Assistant to the Director, died
unexpectedly at his
home in Arlington, Virginia on Sunday morning, July 18, 1954.
Commander Hecht was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 18,
1905. He attended the University of Wyoming and received a degree
in civil engineering from Northwestern University. Commander
Hecht served as instructor in civil engineering at Northwestern
and was President of the Northwestern University Engineering
Society. He was also elected to the honorary science fraternity,
Sigma Xi.
He entered the commissioned service of the Coast and Geodetic
Survey on July 15, 1929. During the past 25 years he served
in many capacities as hydrographic and geodetic engineer. His
early field work included hydrographic surveys along the east
coast of the United States. From 1949-1951 Commander Hecht was
engaged in surveys of the Arctic Coast of Alaska.
During World War II, he served as Field Artillery Observation
Battalion Survey Officer, Executive Officer, Commanding Officer,
and Assistant Director of the Observation Department, Field
Artillery School, Ft. Sill, Oklahoma with the rank of Lieutenant
Colonel. He received commendations from the Commander of the
9th Corps Artillery and the Director of the Observation Department,
Field Artillery School for outstanding service.
Services will be held on Thursday, July 22, at 3:00 p.m. in
Arlington Cemetery where Commander Hecht will be interred. Surviving
are his widow, Bernice Marvel Hecht, a son,
Harry Richard Hecht, both residing in Arlington, and a daughter,
Mrs. Robert W. Godden of Seattle, Washington.
Commander
Hecht was greatly devoted to the service in which he was engaged.
His death is a personal loss to his many friends in the Bureau
and elsewhere. His broad knowledge and sound personal judgment
of all sciences relating to the activities of the Coast and
Geodetic Survey, combined with a kind and generous spirit, prompted
him to render assistance to all who sought his counsel.
THE
BUZZARD, 7/20/1954
