Garrett A. Heitkamp

Garrett Austin Heitkamp May 9, 1984 - January 16, 2017   Garrett was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and grew up in the St. Louis, Missouri area.  He moved with his family to Aiken, South Carolina in 1999 where he excelled in Cross Country at South Aiken High School, graduating in 2002.  This earned him a scholarship at Coastal Carolina University where he was an All Conference Cross Country Runner and a member of the 2003 Conference Championship Track & Field Team.    Shortly after college graduation, Garrett served 4 years in the U.S. Air Force, where he achieved honors in the field of Biomedical Equipment Technology.  He continued in the Biomedical field throughout his professional career.   Garrett’s hobbies included paintball (where he was lovingly known in Upstate NY as Waldo), gaming with close friends near and far, fishing with his Dad, snow skiing, and even scuba diving.  He excelled at everything he attempted.   Music was an essential part of his daily life and he had a wide range in musical tastes.   Garrett appreciated it all, whether it was practicing concertos on his violin or listening to NPR Tiny Desk Concerts.   Garrett enjoyed the companionship of his two rescue cats, Aesop and Anya and loved his family, job and coworkers.   Garrett is greatly missed by his parents, Michael and Karla Heitkamp of Aiken, SC; brother Brandon (Betsy), and their children, Barton and Ridge of Jackson, SC; paternal grandmother, Vivian Heitkamp of Troy, IL; and extended relatives and friends.      Garrett's ashes will be interred with full military honors on April 28, 2017 at 2:00pm at the Beaufort National Cemetery in Beaufort, South Carolina.  This short committal service will be open to anyone who loved Garrett and will be followed by a gathering in Beaufort at The Rhett House Inn.    Please sign guestbook at www.nealfuneralhome.com