Tributes

It is with great sadness that the family of Earl Stevens Heckscher announce his passing on June 10, 2022. Earl is lovingly remembered by his two daughters Maria and Carmen, granddaughters Cassie, Sophia and Dani, son-in-law David, and many numerous friends. Earl was born on June 17, 1943 in San Francisco, California. The son of legendary Big Band Orchestra leader, Ernie Heckscher, Earl developed his passion for music by growing up in the company of many musical talents. His "babysitters" included legends such as Peggy Lee, Tony Bennett and Nat King Cole. Earl traveled with his parents in his early years to New Orleans, Dallas, and San Antonio before the family settled down in the San Francisco Bay Area. At the age of 4 he played the drums and at 7 took an interest in the trumpet. Earl played high school dances and by the age of 14 formed his first band, Earl's Dixieland Band. He began playing one night stands in the college circuit, moved on to top society events and business parties and started backing up legendary performers such as Jack Jones and Ella Fitzgerald. Throughout the years he played in many showrooms across the country including San Francisco, Atlanta, Scottsdale and Lake Tahoe. Earl was extremely versatile. He was a natural athlete; golf, Judo, tennis, weight lifting, boxing and had a passion for cowboy action shooting as a duelist, right down to his costume and his stage name "Doc Valentine". He spoke and sang in several languages: English, Spanish, German, and Italian and enjoyed writing fiction, poetry and his own music. Earl was a perfectionist all the way around from his performances on stage to his athletics and being a good dad. He was an exceptional entertainer bringing magic to the stage. His charisma and charm, along with a beautiful baritone voice and larger than life presence kept him at the top of his game for many years as the Earl Heckscher Orchestra. What he does is entertain superbly. "Its what I like to do" ... "lets face it ,"Its my life". A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Being a great animal lover, the family requests any memorial donations be made in Earl's name to The Humane Society of the United States.

Tributes

Earl Stevens Heckscher

June 17, 1943 - June 10, 2022