We Became Good Friends

I met Jerome in Santa Monica CA at a Barnes and Nobles reading through a Linux Journal magazine. That was in 2006 I think. Since then we became good friends and he taught me alot about being thoughtful, caring and being passionate about whatever I choose to focus on. We took Kung fu classes together and I even took him dancing a few times. He helped me alot to learn computer programming and with that help I changed my career and now I’m working in the computer field. I remember one time I was going through a break up with my girlfriend and Jerome was there for me all through that hardship. He was always willing to help me whenever I needed him.
I truly miss my great friend Jerome.
Jalil

November 8, 2017

So Many Memories

There are so many memories of Jerome that I have. Skateboarder, computer magician, firecracker, friend. It is a great loss to us all, but he is out of suffering, so a comfort to know that he is no longer in pain. Our condolences to all the family, and Jerome, you are in our constant prayers. Send a smile on us occasionally. You will be much missed!
God bless all!
Loreto

August 31, 2016

Come on Home

Jerome and Monica by Monica Eckert

Remember swinging from summer branches?
And searching for the best blackberry bush?
I remember picnics in the field
And arrowhead hunting in the woods.

Summer memories embraced me
When I was small and you were grown.
I waited for school to finish,
So you would come on home.

Remember when I was 12?
You lent me your baseball cap.
You must have liked it on me
Because you never took it back.

That hat kept me company
When your Badger Bus had gone.
Then I’d wait for Christmas—
For you to come on home.

I got to have your bedroom
Since you went to work in fall.
You didn’t mind I took down posters
And painted tigers on your walls.

That old room stands empty now,
And you have finally flown.
No longer do I wait;
I know you won’t be coming home.

But I believe you’re happy
And that I’ll see you again one day.
This will be my comfort
When you feel so far away.

Today I look to Heaven,
And I sense I’m not alone.
You’re watching over me
Until the day I come on Home.

Missing You, Jerome

Jerome T. Heckenkamp
October 28, 1979 – March 8, 2016
“Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.”

Remembering and missing you so much, Jerome,Jerome Heckenkamp
my best childhood friend,
my big brother.
You taught me so many things:
how to climb trees
and how to dig snow tunnels,
how to play cards, checkers,
and chess.
You taught me Morse code
on walkie-talkies,
and everything I know about computers is thanks to you.
You taught me how to skateboard,
how to do flips on a trampoline,
how to laugh at myself,
and how to be brave when the world’s a frightening place.

You were so many things:Jerome computer
kind, compassionate, talented, creative, adventurous, generous, patient, genuine.
You suffered much in your short life,
but you always focused on the positives.
I looked up to you,
and you were always there for me.
We were so blessed to have
the times we had.
But I wasn’t ready for them to end.
Nowhere near ready.

Your leaving left a hollow in my heart.
I miss you so much.
Every day.
Every moment.

I still look up to you;
I just have to look a little harder.
With eyes of faith.

Juggling

“They whom we love and lose are no longer where they were before.
They are now wherever we are.”  — St. John Chrysostom



Here’s my sad playlist, for when I want to cry. Because sometimes that’s all I need. So many songs remind me of you . . .

See You Again by Carrie Underwood
“This is not where it ends . . .”

Superman by Five for Fighting
You and your Superman comics. 🙂 Remember the nerdy comic conventions we went to? And that creepy comic shop? Okay, you didn’t think it was creepy, but I sure did.
But you were always my hero. You still are.

That’s Just About Right by Blackhawk
Jerome, you’re the reason I learned to love country music. I remember this song playing on our way up north on a snowboarding trip.

She Can’t Be Really Gone by Tim McGrawMe and Jerome
You can’t be really gone . . .

The Walk by Sawyer Brown
You know the irony.

I Still Miss You
by Keith Anderson
I always will.

I Drive Your Truck
by Lee Brice
I know it’s junked somewhere in California, but if it weren’t, I’d drive your Oldsmobile.

Over You by Miranda Lambert
“You sing along with every song.” As talented as you were, Jerome, you could NOT carry a tune! Oh, but I loved to hear you try.

One More Day by Diamond Rio
Just one.

You Should Be Here by Cole Swindell
“They say now you’re in a better place, and I would be too if I could see your face.”

Lie In The Sound by Trespassers William
This is the last song you shared with me. We didn’t realize it then, but it was a special gift you gave to me on your very last birthday.

You’ll be forever 36, and I’ll be older than you before I know it.

And that wasn’t ever supposed to happen.

It breaks my heart to think of all we’ll never do.storycrawlerlogofinal

And it hurts to think of all your incredible hard work, such as StoryCrawler, lost in the abyss of your impossibly encrypted computer.

But then . . . I know it doesn’t matter to you anymore.
It’s of this world, and you’re not of this world anymore. You’re in God’s care. And there’s no better place to be. Rest in peace, dear brother, rest in peace. I love you.

“Unto them that love God, all things work for good.”
@Heckenkamp

Talk to you later, Jerome . . .

 

Written by Therese Heckenkamp and originally posted on her blog.

RIP: Jerome Heckenkamp, Computer Expert Extraordinaire

“I became acquainted with Jerome when I was writing my fifth Fairy Tale Novel, Alex O’Donnell and the 40 Cyberthieves. For some months I had been looking far and wide for someone to give me very specific technology advice: Jerome proved to be a gold mine, and more than willing to share his knowledge…”

Read more of this lovely tribute written by Catholic author Regina Doman.

Safely Home

I am home in Heaven, dear ones;Jesus the Good Shepherd
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty in this everlasting light.
All the pain and grief is over, every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever, safely home in Heaven at last.
Did you wonder why I so calmly trod the valley of the shade?
Oh! But Jesus’ love illumined
every dark and fearful glade.
And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus’ arm to lean on,
could I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still;
Try to look beyond earth’s shadows,
Pray to trust our Father’s Will.
There is work still waiting for you,
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth–
You shall rest in Jesus’ land.
When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting,
Oh, the joy to see you come!

From Legacy.com Guest Book

Wednesday, June 15, 2016

I just learned of Jerome’s death. We were in the same group (network
group) at the Los Alamos National Lab. He was the brightest guy I have
ever seen. His talent will be missed.

~ Jo Ann Howell, Los alamos, New Mexico
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Thursday, March 17, 2016

Dear Tom, Tracey and family,
With the heaviest of hearts we send our condolences to all of you. Jerome was an incredible son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin.

May you take comfort in knowing he is in the arms of our Lord and our Lady. He suffered extensively here on earth and may he now receive a beautiful reward in heaven – surrounded by loved ones who passed before him.

Until we all meet again.

Love, Patrick, Patty, Joseph, Rose and Anna

~ Patty Heckenkamp-Biolchini, Ouray, Colorado
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Monday, March 14, 2016

How very sad. We will pray for Jerome’s soul and for his family. This must be such a heavy loss for everyone; God-Willing, he is in the presence of the Holy Trinity in Heaven as we write this. God bless you

~ Larry and Sue Koralewski, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
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Monday, March 14, 2016

Heartfelt sympathies at your loss. May he rest in peace.

~ Mrs. Myrl (Robert) Smocke, old friend of Rosemary Heckenkamp.
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Saturday, March 12, 2016

Many prayers and much love
Regina Doman and family

~ Regina Doman, Front Royal, Virginia
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Saturday, March 12, 2016

May hope sustain you
Friends surround you
And love give you strength.

~ John & Janet Erickson, Coffs Harbour Australia
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Friday, March 11, 2016

Very saddened to hear of our nephew and cousin’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family at this time.
John, Deb Nathan Paula Stephanie Natalie Setz.

~ John & Deb Setz, Newcastle
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Friday, March 11, 2016
We send our condolences to you, Tom, Tracey, Therese , Joe, Monica, Chris and Cassandra and Ray,
For our family, Jerome will be always remembered for having assisted in the promotion of the iconic film movie: “The Passion of the Christ”
Jerome, we pray that God opens wide the gates for you for helping make this beautiful movie known and loved around the world! Deo Gratias!
Despite the fact we were not able to see you for almost 10 yrs due to your prolonged illness, we love you and pray that your sufferings merited you a beautiful place in Heaven!
with love and prayers always!
Aunt Kathy, Uncle Dan, Andres, Valentina, Laura, Luisa Danny and Mariana

~ Kathleen Heckenkamp, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
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Friday, March 11, 2016

He was a very nice young man. So sad for him and his family. We are keeping him in our prayers.

~ Jessie (Giuffré) Cano, Texas
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Friday, March 11, 2016

May Jerome rest in peace.Jerome taught at St Thomas More in San Jose Ca. in 2002.
He was and will be remembered and loved.
All his family are also in our prayers.

~ Dell Selway, san jose, California