Hecks Endow Scholarships with Lifetime and Legacy Gifts

Flying is a passion for AOPA members Scott and Barbara Heck. “The privilege to go out and fly is the most enduring gift that we’ve had in our lives,” shares Scott.

Scott started flying in the 1960s. After serving in the U.S. Army as a flight engineer, he and Barbara moved from southern Florida to Bozeman, Montana. Barbara had never flown before meeting Scott. Later in their marriage, Scott took her flying and she was bitten by the flying bug and later earned her private pilot certificate as well.

They are passionate about helping others, especially young people, become involved in aviation. “It’s important, and it’s a pursuit that brings joy to our lives every day. There is nothing like sitting in the front end of an airplane and flying it.”

Scott and Barbara wanted to be able to provide scholarships for flight training through an endowment. They recognized that they were not able to write a check to fully endow a fund to reach this goal, but they were able to start the endowment now, add to it during their lifetime, and ensure that it is fully funded with their legacy gift.

Long into the future there will be people who are able to learn to fly, and the Hecks know that their legacy gift will give them that opportunity.

“There is a good feeling knowing that others will benefit forever from our gift. The important thing is that we are able to give something that is a lasting gift.”