Rod “Rocket” Heuck was born on April 4, 1953. He was not born in Colorado, but like a lot of us he got here as fast as he could. His mother lives in Nebraska, and his brother and family live in Wyoming.

Anyone lucky enough to have been touched by this gentle, honorable, graceful man will know that you have been blessed. Rod’s unbelievable love and spirit made all of us a little stronger. Winnie the Pooh said “If there is a tomorrow and we are not together – Remember that you are braver than you think – stronger than you seem and smarter than you know – but even when we are apart, I am still with you.”

Rod was a man with a bigger-than-life heart and a man of few words. The ones he said were well thought out and genuine, meant for the one he was talking to. So remember your time with him and let those moments help you to live today to the fullest because tomorrow is not a promise. Rod taught us that there is love in the room he was in if we simply “listen.” We are all in a better place because we knew Rod “Rocket.” We can celebrate Rod with our loved ones anytime – just open the place in your heart that is his and he will simply be there.

Please Celebrate Rod by going for a walk and simply remembering his unbreakable spirit. There will always be an empty spot in the world without Rod, but we can fill it with everyday random acts of kindness. Life is not always fair but those of us that knew Rod can somehow know that ours is a little more “fair.”

A rare autoimmune disease took this rare and beautiful man from us after a six-year war. But Rod won a lot of the battles that seemed like they were hopeless. He left this world on May 30, 2012. He was surrounded by his family and gave us one last “gift” with the honor of letting him go peacefully and with dignity in his own bed. The hole he left in our hearts was quickly filled with his kind smile and peaceful presence. We are a lucky family to say he was “one of us.”

Since Rod always wanted to help anyone that needed it: his request to honor his life was to donate a few dollars to Rocky Mountain Rural Health, PO Box 1600, Fairplay, CO 80440-1600 The donation goes assist in the Community Medical Assistance Program, medical equipment, Families in Crisis Fund, and Community Health screenings. Katherine Fitting is the angel heading this organization.

No formal service will be held, but where a few people are gathered to remember Rod will be the biggest gift we can give to ourselves and Rod. Simply thanks for being a part of Rod’s life and Always Believe.