Ken von Heidecke
1952-12-01 2021-12-11
Kenneth von Heidecke, was born December 30, 1952 in Chicago, IL and passed away unexpectedly on December 11, 2021. Kenneth was an American ballet dancer, international choreographer, founder and artistic director of Von Heidecke's Chicago Festival Ballet and the Von Heidecke School of Ballet.
Kenneth von Heidecke was a loving son, brother and uncle. He now joins in eternal life, his mother, Laura; his older brother, Richard, Jr.; his niece, Julie; his grandparents, Fredrick, Katherine Anne, Carmine and Ida; and his brother-in-law, Kenny (Lynn) in eternal life. He is survived by his father, Richard, Sr.; his sisters, Lynn (Lou) DeRose, Laura, Susan (Bryan) Ocasio and his brothers, Steven and Michael (Maria); his sister-in-law, Debra (Richard Jr.); nieces and nephews Julie, Richard (Amanda), Mark (Schweta), great-nieces and nephews, Mia, Brianna, Rayden and Kane; and many uncles, aunts, cousins, friends and countless dancers from his decades of dedicated direction.
Kenneth graduated from Elmhurst College. He started his ballet dancing career in 1975, later becoming choreographer for Lyric Opera of Chicago. He was the Protégé of legendary Prima ballerina Maria Tallchief. Maria stated "You can't get anyone better than Kenneth von Heidecke." Kenneth was a brilliant choreographer, and an inspiration to the dance community. He was a renowned choreographer for opera and ballet companies around the world, having choreographed over 60 operas and 80 ballets. Kenneth has received numerous awards for his work and artistic creativity. His vision and legacy will live on through the many dancers he loved inspiring, teaching and sharing the art of ballet with and through them his vision and legacy will live on.
For those who would like to leave a lasting tribute to Kenneth's life, in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Kenneth von Heidecke Memorial Scholarship Program.
A memorial visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 22, 3 - 8 pm at the Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville. A Celebration of Kenneth’s life will follow at 8 pm at the funeral home with Reverend Albert Heidecke officiating. A private family Interment will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, IL.
www.friedrichjones.com
You can watch a very touching documentary on Ken’s life and career,
“Born to Love Ballet – The Kenneth von Heidecke Story” on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbu40bEKulk
Kenneth von Heidecke was a loving son, brother and uncle. He now joins in eternal life, his mother, Laura; his older brother, Richard, Jr.; his niece, Julie; his grandparents, Fredrick, Katherine Anne, Carmine and Ida; and his brother-in-law, Kenny (Lynn) in eternal life. He is survived by his father, Richard, Sr.; his sisters, Lynn (Lou) DeRose, Laura, Susan (Bryan) Ocasio and his brothers, Steven and Michael (Maria); his sister-in-law, Debra (Richard Jr.); nieces and nephews Julie, Richard (Amanda), Mark (Schweta), great-nieces and nephews, Mia, Brianna, Rayden and Kane; and many uncles, aunts, cousins, friends and countless dancers from his decades of dedicated direction.
Kenneth graduated from Elmhurst College. He started his ballet dancing career in 1975, later becoming choreographer for Lyric Opera of Chicago. He was the Protégé of legendary Prima ballerina Maria Tallchief. Maria stated "You can't get anyone better than Kenneth von Heidecke." Kenneth was a brilliant choreographer, and an inspiration to the dance community. He was a renowned choreographer for opera and ballet companies around the world, having choreographed over 60 operas and 80 ballets. Kenneth has received numerous awards for his work and artistic creativity. His vision and legacy will live on through the many dancers he loved inspiring, teaching and sharing the art of ballet with and through them his vision and legacy will live on.
For those who would like to leave a lasting tribute to Kenneth's life, in lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Kenneth von Heidecke Memorial Scholarship Program.
A memorial visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 22, 3 - 8 pm at the Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville. A Celebration of Kenneth’s life will follow at 8 pm at the funeral home with Reverend Albert Heidecke officiating. A private family Interment will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, IL.
www.friedrichjones.com
You can watch a very touching documentary on Ken’s life and career,
“Born to Love Ballet – The Kenneth von Heidecke Story” on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbu40bEKulk