Deacon Joseph “Joe” Hegenbart died Wednesday, July 17, 2024.
Joe was born to Mildred and Henry Hegenbart in Los Angeles in 1937. He was the third of seven sons. During his youth, he helped on his family farm in both Little Rock and Newberry Springs, California. Joe attended Barstow High School, as did his future wife of 55 years, Rosemary. It wasn’t until they were both attending college in the Los Angeles area, however, that they began dating.
Known for his outgoing and friendly demeanor, Joe was student body president and was active with a swing band during high school. Joe graduated from Loyola University with a Civil Engineering degree and Rosemary finished her education at Mount Saint Mary’s College. After Rosemary received her teaching credential, they married in 1962.
Wishing to share their educations with others, the newlywed couple attended classes with the Lay Mission-Helpers Association. They went to Northern Rhodesia in 1963 and were there when the country won its independence and became Zambia. After fulfilling a three-year assignment, they returned to the Los Angeles area. In 1968, Joe earned his master’s degree from USC in Civil Engineering in Hydrology. Joe had a 35-year career with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. He held the position of Assistant Chief Engineer at the time of his retirement.
Joe and Rosemary attended diaconate formation classes for five years with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Upon his ordination in 1998 “Deacon Joe” and Rosemary continued to serve their parish of Saint James the Less as a Deacon Couple.
Service and hospitality were hallmarks of their lives. They served many roles over the years as ministers at their church and as participants in the civic activities of their children. They also sponsored multiple foreign exchange students in their home as a host family.
Joe and Rosemary supported the Sacred Heart Mission Circle for over 30 years. As part of his ministry, Joe also visited the youth at the Sylmar Juvenile Hall.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents and by five brothers: Tom, Jerry, Dan, Mark, and Pat Hegenbart. Also preceding him in death were his wife Rosemary and a daughter who died at birth, Marie Theresa. Joe is survived by his brother Mike Hegenbart.
He leaves behind his four children (and their spouses): Anne (Larry), Joe (Georgette), John (Kim), and Rose Marie (Jeff). Grandpa Joe Hegenbart is also survived by nine grandchildren: Cindy, Joe, Dustin, Ashley, Jeremy, Sarah, Nathaniel, Daniel, Ian, and one great-grandson, Alex.
Additionally, he leaves behind numerous beloved in-laws and nieces and nephews. Deacon Joe will be remembered for his intense commitment to family, his leadership, and his dedication to Saint Joseph and subsequently to his role as a husband and father.
He had a great faith in God. Many came to him for wise counsel, a blessing, or for his intercession in the offering of prayer.
Services will be held at St. James the Less Church, 4651 Dunsmore Ave., Glendale, CA, 91214. Rosary on Saturday, August 24, at 10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. (Priests/Deacons wishing to attend are invited to vest in an alb and white stole.)
In charity and kindness, please remember Deacon Joe and the Hegenbart family in your Masses and prayers.
