Heske collapsed and died suddenly at his home on Saturday, March 22.
Formerly president of Ball Packaging Europe, he became senior vice president and chief operating officer, global metal beverage packaging in November 2012.
Heske joined the company in 1993 in the Braunschweig, Germany, technical center and held numerous manufacturing leadership roles over the next 15 years before becoming executive vice president and chief operating officer of Ball’s European packaging operations in 2008.
"Gerrit was more than a co-worker; he was a friend, and on behalf of the company and our fellow colleagues, we express our deepest condolences to his family," said John A. Hayes, chairman, president and chief executive officer.
Effective immediately and on an interim basis, Scott C. Morrison, senior vice president and chief financial officer, will assume responsibility for the global metal beverage business.