Mill Valley, CA

Matthew Heckman died suddenly April 28 of a heart attack at 58. He grew up in Mill Valley, graduated from Tam High and lived in Corte Madera. To his family and his many life-long friends he was their “Rock,” the problem solver and fixer who always “knew a guy.”

Marinites recognize Matt as the manager of Bellam Storage in San Rafael, always helpful, always making a joke. But his serious passions lay in the world of videography behind the camera as a technician and producer. He was one of the incredible artists who worked on “@LARGE: AI WEI WEI at ALCATRAZ :“Stay Tuned” and “Illumination” installations; “INTERNATIONAL ORANGE” ‘Golden Gate Bridge’ video mural art installation at Fort Point.

Matthew was an FAA licensed drone pilot for several documentary films shot in the Bay Area for Presidio Parkway, Benefit Bees, City Lights Books and conversation with Lawrence Ferlinghetti, “Edwin Huizinga and The SF Girls Chorus at Mission Dolores” in 360 VR. Matthew shot San Francisco’s Poet Laureate, Tongo Eisen-Martin performing “The Possibility Of Being One Person” and “It’s Midnight Already,” With Starr Sutherland, Atypical Productions, he worked in 3-D and 360 VR for the performance artists, The Residents. “Faceless Forever- The Residents 50th Anniversary At The Great American Music Hall,” “Talking Light,” 3-D Performance At Bimbo's, “In Between Dreams,” “Triple Trouble,” “Duck Stab! Alive!” “Inside A Circle Of Dreams” 360 VR.

Matt enjoyed photographing from his unique location choices and perspective. He was a passionate Forty Niner fan and season ticket holder for decades. He was a computer whiz and loved military history; a Golfer and played in the Marin Bocce Federation League in San Rafael.

Matt left many friends and family. His nephew, Julian Marquez and great -niece Emalisa, Koloa, Kauai HI; his parents, Floyd and Marsha and his brother James, of Mill Valley; his Aunt Claudia Allin of Wimauma FL, Uncle John Kelly of Del Mar CA, his gang of cousins: Paul Prestidge, Wimauma FL, Jess Prestidge of Grass Valley; Caleb Webb, San Diego; Kimberly and Tyler Curry, Wimauma Florida. He was “Uncle Matt” to Benjamin Heckman, Petaluma CA; Jackson Glaze, Santa Clarita CA; Liam and Oliver Kelly, Del Mar CA; Haley and Summer Prestidge, Grass Valley CA; and Kai Webb, San Diego CA.

Memorial will be at his parents home June 22, 2025.