Hank Heckman, a highly respected floor covering retailer who is credited with advancing the field of installation, died June 17 in Grants Pass, Ore. He was 90 years old.

An active supporter of the industry for more than five decades, Heckman helped establish the Western Floor Covering Association. He served as president and was lifetime member of the trade group, which later merged with the American Floor Covering Association to become the World Floor Covering Association.

Heckman opened and managed the retail operation Floorcraft in San Jose, Calif., in 1959. He would go on to purchase the operation in the early ‘60s. He continued to grow the business until selling and semi-retiring in the mid ‘90s. During his time as a retailer, Heckman was very active in the local installer’s union. He is widely credited with encouraging and training many young installers who went on to have successful careers in flooring.

He is preceded in rest by his wife of 56 years, Betty James Heckman, and survived by his son Kenn Heckman of San Jose, Calif., and daughter Susan Melnychuk, as well as two grandchildren, Katelyn and Ryan Melnychuk of Grants Pass, Ore.

In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Association.