Cape businessman Martin Hecht remembered for faith, generosity

Cape Girardeau businessman and philanthropist Martin Hecht died Friday at his home in Palm Springs, California, surrounded by family, leaving a legacy of community leadership and generosity.

In addition to running Hecht’s clothing store in downtown Cape Girardeau, Hecht also served for about a decade on Southeast Missouri State University’s board of regents and Southeast Hospital’s board of directors.

But what people seem to remember most about him was his gentle spirit.

“In Hebrew, we call it ‘chesed,’” his daughter Rosanne Hecht said. “It means ‘kindness.’”

Hecht bought the downtown business in 1946 from his father, Louis Hecht, who founded it in 1917.

Chuck McGinty, who owns C.P. McGinty Jewelers in downtown, said Hecht was a person to whom other merchants looked.

“I knew Marty since, gosh, since the ’60s. He was such a mentor for the downtown area,” McGinty said. “And he added a lot of class to the downtown area with the storefront that he had. If you wanted something nice, you got it at Hecht’s.”

Hecht was a dyed-in-the-wool Cape Girardeau resident, Rosanne said. Hecht attended Cape Girardeau Central High School and later graduated from Southeast.

“Marty was always participating in downtown events, whether it be an auction or anything else,” McGinty said.

As staunch as it was, his commitment to his community was secondary to that of his faith. His father was instrumental in the construction of the B’nai Israel Congregation synagogue that stood downtown, and Martin later helped in its preservation.

“He was in a town with very few Jewish families, but he helped to keep that synagogue,” McGinty said.

And many remember his strict adherence to the Sabbath, refusing to drive or answer the telephone.

Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder said residents could see his devotion on display each Saturday.

“In middle age or late middle age, he became more orthodox in his faith; he would not ride in motorized transportation on the Sabbath,” Kinder said. “He would walk from his house [near Cape Rock Drive and Kingshighway] all the way down Broadway to his store on Main Street. And then he would walk all the way back Saturday afternoon. I remember seeing him walk down that long course many, many Saturdays.”

Hecht was elected president of the Jewish Federation of Southeast Illinois in 1968.

In 1981, a synagogue at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the second-oldest university in Israel, was named in his honor. Hecht raised funds for over a decade to help finance the synagogue’s construction on the university’s Mount Scopus campus.

In 1986, Hecht worked with his brother, U.S. Sen. Jacob “Chic” Hecht, to lobby for the provision of U.S. aid to Jews behind the Iron Curtain. Their actions helped thousands of Jews leave the Soviet Union.

At heart, Hecht was a family man, Rosanne said.

“He was the most wonderful man to all of us,” she said.

He raised three children with his wife, LaVerne “Tootie” Hecht, to whom he was married for nearly 70 years.

And his kindness extended to his work family as well.

Peggy Jinkerson worked for Hecht for more than 20 years, she said, and she remains grateful for all of it.

“He and Tootie, they were like second parents to me,” Jinkerson said. Her father died while she was working as a bookkeeper for Hecht’s, and the couple took her under their wing.

“Mr. Hecht was just as sweet as you could possibly imagine. They were always generous ... always generous to me.”

Once, she recalled, she was visiting La Jolla, California, with her son, which was near where the Hechts had moved after leaving Cape Girardeau.

“We happened to be in the neighborhood, and when they found out, they wanted us to come by,” she said.

But it was the Sabbath.

“He wanted to show me around, though,” she said. “So we had to walk around La Jolla all day.”

And Hecht’s effect in Southeast Missouri is undeniable, Kinder said.

“He was one of the major important business and civic leaders in Cape Girardeau in the latter half of the 20th century,” he said. “He was true to his faith and to his family. ... He did so much for so many people, including anonymous donations. ... His business speaks for itself.”

tgraef@semissourian.com

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