Robert D Hecht

Robert D. Hecht (Bob) of Topeka, Kansas, youngest child of Jesse and Flossie Hecht, passed away on August 21, 2025, at the age of 90 years. He was born October 17, 1934, in Nemaha County, Kansas, in the same farmhouse his father was born in 1893 and his grandfather in 1861. This farm was homesteaded by his great-grandfather. Bob’s family moved to Topeka when he was two and he was raised in the Oakland area attending Oakland Elementary, Holiday Jr. High and graduating Topeka High in 1952. He attended Washburn University graduating with a B.B.A. degree and Washburn Law School graduating with a Juris Doctorate in January, 1958, accomplishing both degrees in 5 ½ years.

Following law school Bob served in the U.S. Air Force as Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, 37th Air Division; Staff Judge Advocate, Bangor Air Defense Sector; and later as Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, 30th Air Division (SAGE). As a Judge Advocate he was counsel to General William Wise and Major General James Jensen and litigated cases from AWOL to Homicide and was involved in a number of unusual claims and personnel actions involving high ranking officers. He spent a great amount of time on temporary duty involving matters throughout Canada, Northeast quarter of the United States and elsewhere.

Bob was proud that he had worked the farm fields of Shawnee County as a small child and was given his first steady, part time job at age 12 by A.J. Warner in his neighborhood grocery store. From that time until he retired at age 74, he was unemployed only one week before and one week after military service. Prior to graduating law school and entering the military he was employed at Kansas Motor Vehicle, nights at the Topeka State Journal, Fleming Food Warehouse, Goodyear Tire and Rubber, worked at KPL and Kansas Highway Commission. Such employment allowed him to obtain his education, graduating with no debt.

After military service in 1958-1961 he practiced law in Shawnee County, served as an Assistant County Attorney and was elected two terms as Shawnee County Attorney, as a partner in the firm of Gray, Freidberg and Davis and then as a founding partner at Scott, Quinlan & Hecht where he practiced from 1969 until January, 2001, when he was elected and served two terms as District Attorney until 2009.

During his practice Bob was involved in a number of high-profile cases, some of which were reported as far away as Cairo, Egypt and Tokyo, Japan and was reported on national news television channels, Time Magazine, published books and a television movie. He represented a State Senate President, a sitting Governor, City Commissioners of both Topeka and Kansas City. He prosecuted and secured the first death penalty verdict in Shawnee County Court in the history of Kansas for the kidnap and murder of a little girl in 1965 and later, as District Attorney, his office secured the second such verdict for multiple murders. He was engaged in representing numerous school districts in a number of matters including ending a teacher strike and civil rights cases and the removal from office of public officials for violation of law and the conviction of a sitting District Court Judge of felony crimes. He got his most professional satisfaction from handling the adoption of children and protecting women and children.

Bob married Faye Wilson of Newport News, Virginia, who he met while he was stationed at Truax Field, Wisconsin in 1961. To such marriage were born two daughters, Lisa Fay (Vincent Carter) and Julia Paige (Scott Anderson); grandchildren, Jordan (Nick Gitto) Carter, Alex Carter, and great-grandchild, Charlotte Gitto.

Bob and Faye divorced in 1986, but remained good and supportive friends sharing good times, difficult times and family times together over the years. Faye was his devoted caregiver in the last three years.

Although generally retired, Bob continued to provide professional assistance to some clients, mentor law students and young lawyers. During his professional life he was a member of the Topeka, Kansas and American Bar Associations and served on numerous professional ethics and advisory committees, the Judicature Society, Sam A. Crow Inn of Courts, Kansas Trial Lawyers Association where he served as a Vice President of Education, American Trial Lawyers Association, National and Kansas District Attorney Association and acted as an Adjunct Professor at the Washburn School of Law on a number of occasions as well as lecturing on criminal law and procedures, school and employment law for various professional groups.

Bob’s last wishes were that family, friends and associates would enjoy together their memories and be supportive of Faye, his daughters, grandchildren and great grandchild and each other to help make Topeka a better community for all. Bob’s family were of paramount importance to him.

Bob was predeceased by his parents, sisters, Gladys, Lola and brother Bill Hecht.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.