Obituaries - February 8, 2013 - David Allen Hetz
David Allen Hetz, 62, the husband of Pastor Sandy Hetz who serves Mt. Savage UMC, died Feb. 8, 2013, at the Western Maryland Regional Medical Center. The Rev. Harry Burchell Jr. officiated at a memorial service Feb. 19, at Mount Savage UMC.
Allen, his preferred name, Hetz was born Oct. 30, 1950, in Meyersdale, Pa. to Ruth Weimer Hetz and the late Floyd Hetz of Grantsville, Md.
He and Sandra Wright married in 1971 in Salisbury, Pa. They had two daughters.
Hetz spent most of his working career as an Auto Tech in the Rockville and Gaithersburg areas. For the past seven years, his wife has served churches as a part-time local pastor. These were South Cumberland UMC in 2006, Barton UMC in 2009 and Mount Savage in 2011. They maintained a home in Cumberland.
Hetz had a versatile singing voice and performed on special occasions, such as Easter and Christmas at his wife’s churches. He especially enjoyed singing with his daughters, both of whom inherited his ability. Daughter Kerensa Gray, a professional jazz and gospel singer, wrote a special song some years ago to honor her dad’s gift of music and it was sung at his funeral.
He was an inveterate sportsman, well known for his skill as a softball player. He was a power hitter and deceptively fast. He loved the game. He used his talent to coach others and he was involved in several charity events. He was active president of his bowling league for several years, another sport he enjoyed. He also came to appreciate the vagaries of golf, a game he admitted he played as much for the company as the sport.
Above all things, Hetz was an incredible dad, according to his children. His pride in, and love for, his daughters and grandsons were unmistakable. His talents at sports, as well as his wonderful vocal gifts, were passed along to his girls, and his beloved “boys”. Younger daughter Devi Hetz inherited his sports ability and became state champion at shot put and discus.
He was preceded in death by his father and his first grandson, Dougan Kylen Smith.
Surviving are his wife of 41 years, Pastor Sandy Hetz; his daughters, Kerensa Gray of Waynesboro, Pa., and Devi Hetz of Cumberland; three grandsons; and his mother, Ruth Hetz of Grantsville. Two brothers and three sisters also survive.
Condolences may be sent to his wife, Sandy Hetz, 11504 Mountain Magic Lane NE, Cumberland, MD 21502-8101.
Memorials may be sent to Mount Savage UMC, PO Box 603, Mount Savage, MD 21545-0603 or emailed to
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