Peter T. Heuchling

West Point, 2006

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Kenneth E. Lang '56 on August 31, 2003:

The following remarks are those of Gerald Richardson '56, one of 3 members of our class in attendance at the Memorial Service. This is his report back to the USMA1956 class forum, posted here by the moderator of that forum. It was a warm (some might say hot) sunny afternoon yesterday, 26 August 2003, when the mourners began to arrive at the Cadet Chapel to pay their last respects to Cadet Peter "Todd" Heuchling of the USMA Class of 2006. As I walked down the aisle, escorted by a yearling cadet, I could not help remembering that only a few days earlier Todd Heuchling stood in the yearling ranks at Camp Buckner as Mike Conrad, on behalf of the Class of 1956, presented the class flag to our adopted sons and daughters of the Class of 2006. The Cadet Chapel seemed filled to capacity with Todd's classmates, a large number of family members and USMA Staff & Faculty to include the Supe, Com and Dean. Farrell Patrick, Doris and Bert Tucker, Barby and I were the representatives from the Class of 1956. It was an honor to be present and a witness to such a solemn and moving memorial service. There were flowers on the alter provided by the Cadet Chapel. On the floor, immediately in front of the alter was the beautiful display of flowers from our Class with the notation "In Memory of Peter Todd Heuchling from the USMA Class of 1956." These were the only other flowers present. I certainly was proud that our entire Class was honoring Todd in such a manner while at the same time further cementing the bond that we are striving to develop with the Class of 2006. In front of our flower display was a table containing a photo of Todd in cadet full dress and his tar bucket hat. Eulogies by Todd's Tactical Officer and several classmates pointed out that Todd was an outstanding cadet in all areas of endeavor. He finished his plebe year as a star man, had demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities as a plebe and as a yearling at Camp Buckner, and was an excellent athlete. The eulogy which brought tears to the eyes of all present came from Todd's father. Flanked by two relatives, Robert Heuchling, with a broken heart, told of how his son had made it his goal to attend West Point from a very early age on and that his son's whole life had been devoted to achieving that goal. He noted how proud he was of Todd and the success he had attained during his plebe year and at Camp Buckner. He mentioned that Todd had called home about the success he had leading his Buckner Company to win the Sandhurst Competition and that the victory day had been the happiest of his life. It took a great deal of courage for Todd's father to get up and speak about his son under such circumstances. I personally would not have been able to do such a thing had the deceased been one of my sons. Following the Service I talked to Todd's roommate about the circumstances surrounding Todd's death. It seems that Todd was participating in a time trial for the Cadet Marathon Team. He was well out in front when, about 100 yards from the finish line, he collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital where he died. Todd was 19 years old. The local newspaper indicated that an autopsy was being performed, but to date there has not been any new information.

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