Lucas Aaron Heckman died Saturday, August 12, 2023, at the KU Medical Center in Kansas City. He was born May 3, 1983, in Lawrence, Kansas.
Lucas was one of a kind. He was incredibly brilliant, funny, talented, and definitely marched to a different drummer. Perhaps this is why he beat his heart out on the drums during his days as a musician here in Lawrence, Kansas, and then later in Albany, New York, and Kansas City. He promoted other musicians and supported many others in their creative efforts. An old friend said, “He was quite literally the life of the party” at the vegan potlucks and at The Pirate House. He enrolled at The University of Kansas not because he wanted a higher education, but really because he wanted to be a DJ for the college radio station. His knowledge of music was deep and wide, especially punk. He was a straight-edge punk which means that he never used alcohol or other drugs. In his life and even now, he’s carried the soul of a musician.
He is survived by his mother, Iris Craver, and his step-father, Steve Stemmerman, Lawrence; his father, George Heckman, and step-mother, Bekki Heckman, Ozawkie; his brother, Jesse Heckman, and sister-in-law, Jennifer Strickland, Lawrence; and his sister, Sara Schafer, Topeka. He also had his niece, Ida Heckman, his nephew, Oliver Heckman, Lawrence; and his nieces Cecelia and Marjorie Schafer, Topeka. He had many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who found him dear.
An open house memorial is planned for September 16, 2023, Centenary United Methodist Church, 245 N 4th St. Lawrence, Kansas, 66044 beginning at 1 pm. Potluck! A time for sharing stories. Eulogy by his brother at 2.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sunrise Project or the family suggests planting a tree.
