Hunter Sutherland Lantz Hecker, 30

Outdoor Enthusiast and a Gentle Soul

March 12, 1994 — June 27, 2024

It is with profound sadness that the Hecker family of Skillman, New Jersey shares that Hunter Hecker, 30, died on June 27, 2024, by a senseless act of gun violence in Portland, Oregon.

Hunter and his girlfriend witnessed a man assaulting a woman. They attempted to assist the woman but the man began assaulting Hunter’s girlfriend and then Hunter, whom he shot multiple times.

We are grateful to the citizens of Portland who assisted Hunter and tried to provide life saving measures before paramedics arrived on the scene. We are also grateful to the courageous witnesses who came forward providing essential information in the apprehension of the gunman who remains in jail pending trial on murder charges.

Hunter was born in Princeton, New Jersey, and lived in Skillman, New Jersey, until the end of high school. He graduated from The Hun School of Princeton. 

After attending college for engineering, he moved to Portland, Oregon, to pursue his passion for the culinary arts, graduating from the Oregon Culinary Institute. Hunter went on to work at some of the best restaurants in Portland, including Urdaneta. The owner and chef selected Hunter to tour the Basque Country in Spain, the chef’s home country and source of the cuisine of the restaurant. 

From a young age, Hunter loved to travel to countries around the world exploring their culture and food scene. Most recently Hunter was instrumental in creatively contributing to the Silk Road cocktail menu, fusing his culinary and mixology skills. His latest creation was a martini made with shiitake-infused vermouth, MSG mushroom brine and a trio of bitters which was featured in "Food & Wine" magazine.

Throughout his life, Hunter had a multitude of interests and pursuits. He was a sports enthusiast and loved the outdoors. He participated on numerous Montgomery Township and local travel and school teams competing in ice hockey, lacrosse, cross country, and rowing.

He rowed for The Hun School and Princeton National Rowing Association/Mercer Junior Rowing, competing twice in the Youth National Championships.  His outdoor pursuits included cycling, scuba diving, camping, hiking, and skiing.

He enjoyed driving and working on his automobiles, building his computer, listening to music, playing golf and billiards, reading philosophy, and attending NBA games — especially his beloved Chicago Bulls.

He enjoyed photography, often taking black and white photos with his vintage film camera of nature, the Portland skyline and river, Mt. Hood, and the Oregon coast. He especially loved his cat, Winston, and dog, Troy, and taking family vacations to Charleston, South Carolina and Kiawah Island. 

His smile, beautiful eyes, bright inquisitive mind, gentle spirit, sense of humor, and zest for life will be forever missed by his parents, Doug Hecker and Diane Lantz-Hecker, sister, extended family, girlfriend and friends.