At their Stated meeting on March 25, 2019 the Brethren of Eugene Valley Scottish Rite had the pleasure of presenting Col. Dick Heyman with a 50 year cap. We were, however, rather late to the party so to speak as Brother Heyman has been a member of the Scottish Rite since September 17, 1952, or 66 ½ years ago.
Richard Michael Heyman, Jr. was born on May 25, 1924 in Coffeyville, Kansas. Seven days after his 18th birthday he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps on June 2, 1942, and was commissioned an officer on July 28, 1943. In the early morning hours of June 6, 1944, preceding the morning invasion, he flew escort with the 101st Airborne. Flying back to refuel he returned to cover the invasion in the morning. He was a member of the 364th Fighter Group which flew 342 missions in P-38 Lightnings and P-51 Mustangs from Honington, Suffolk, England. The missions ranged from escorting bombers and dive-bombing and strafing targets to area patrol missions across a swathe of land that took in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. After converting to P-51 Mustangs, the Group also flew long-range bomber escort missions, winning a Distinguished Unit Citation for their defense of B-17 Flying Fortresses on a mission to Frankfurt on 27 December 1944.
Dick was Raised a Master Mason in Bartlesville Lodge #284 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1947. Bartlesville is about 46 miles north of Tulsa and 47 miles southwest of Coffeyville, Kansas. He continued his service to the Country flying during the Korean Conflict. After that war ended he determined he finally had the resources to join the Scottish Rite. He received the Scottish Rite degrees 4° – 18° on September 16 and the 19° – 32° on September 17, 1952 in Gutherie, Oklahoma. At that time he was a Captain in the United States Air Force and was living in Stillwater, Oklahoma. When the war started in Vietnam Dick continued his service to his Country and had a distinguished flying career during that conflict.
Lieutenant Colonel Richard M. Heyman, United States Air Force, was awarded a Third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving with the 388th Combat Support Group in Southeast Asia on 4 February 1967. Among his achievements during an outstanding career of service to his Country he received the following Awards:
- Air Medal with 13 oak leaf clusters (2 silver, 3 bronze)
- American Campaign Medal
- Army of Occupation Medal
- Distinguished Flying Cross with 3 oak leaf clusters
- Korean Service Medal
- Legion of Merit
- National Defense Service Medal
- Silver Star
- United Nations Service Medal
- World War II Victory Medal
- Croix de Guerre (French)
- Air Force Commendation Medal
- Air Force Longevity Service Award with 6 oak leaf clusters (1 silver, 1 bronze)
- European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 bronze stars.
Dick lives in Creswell with his wife of 59 years, Barbara. He is still active in his community having served on the Creswell City Council for a number of years, and attends his Blue Lodge and Scottish Rite whenever he can.
The Research Lodge of Oregon #198, in conjunction with its sponsorship by the Oregon Scottish Rite is planning an interview with Brother Heyman, and he is scheduled to share some of his stories at the next Stated communication of the Lodge of Perfection in Eugene on April 22, 2019.
About the author:
Michael D. Robinson 32° KCCH, earned his degree in History at Colorado State University. He was the second Master Mason Raised in Esoterika Lodge #227, and the first member Raised in that Lodge to serve as Worshipful Master. He was presented with the Hiram Award by Esoterika Lodge in 2012, and was elected Master in 2013 and 2014. He served as District Deputy for District #13 in 2016-17 and 2017-18, and was appointed Grand Historian for 2018-19. He is also serving as Historian for Research Lodge #198 and Eugene Lodge #11. Brother Robinson received the Scottish Rite degrees in 2010 and was the recipient of the “Novus Astorum” from the Portland Valley Scottish Rite that year. He was appointed Historian of the Scottish Rite Orient of Oregon in December of 2014. In March of 2015 he was made Secretary of the Eugene Valley, and Director of the Work for that Valley in January of 2017.
I salute you Brother Heyman. What an exemplary life he has lead! A true member of the greatest Generation.