Richard Floyd Heard
June 13, 2019
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden, yet peaceful passing of Richard Floyd (Dick) Heard on the evening of Thursday, June 13, 2019 in his 90th year. With the love of his life, Flora, and his four children (John, Marie, Janice and Keith) at his side, he was called Home.
Richard grew up on a farm in Proton Station, Ontario and was a proud graduate of the University of Guelph’s OAC class of ‘52 and Master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin. His agricultural extension career and accomplishments were many, and included working in Northern Ontario (Emo), Southwestern Ontario and his induction into the Middlesex County Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2011, to name only a few.
Richard/Dick/Dad/Papa, is predeceased by his sister Audrey and brother Jack. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 62 years, Flora (Henderson), children: John Heard (Mary), Marie McLennan (Dr. Michael), Janice Jones (Tom), Keith Heard (Kristin), and his 12 grandchildren: Anne Marie (Brendan), Dr. Jack and Bill Heard; Matthew (Clare), Andrew (Kassandra) and Emily McLennan; Rachel (Dakotah), Andrea and Jillian Jones; Katherine, Nicole and Danielle Heard; older sister Agnes Weaver, sister-in-law Dorothy Henderson, brother-in-law Jim Barrie and many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held on Monday, June 17, 2019 from 2:00 – 4:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London. A memorial service will be conducted at OAKRIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 970 Oxford Street West, London on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Richard are asked to consider Canadian Foodgrains Bank.
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My deepest condolences to the entire Heard family. Your father was a wonderful person and a true gentleman. My thoughts and prayers to you all.
Our family is feeling the loss of a great Uncle. We were so blessed to have known Uncle Dick all these years and to have him in our lives. As I reflected over the weekend our memories go back to the house in Oakridge and a skating rink; the first visit to the farm; swimming at Oakridge and then at the farm; and then there were what I refer to as the "tiling years". I think Uncle Dick took great joy in getting Marie and I up in the morning to be ready to meet the guys laying tile on the farm. He laughed about that every time we were together. Just last August Marie brought them to see us in Leamington and I have a grand memory of Uncle Dick racing me to get back seat in the van! What a legacy. He will be with us always in spirit. Love to Aunt Flora, John & Mary, Marie & Mike, Janice & Tom, Keith & Kristin, and all the nieces and nephews. Love you all. "The Salem Heards" :)
We have a special affection for the Heard Family! Our thoughts and prayers are with you on your father's passing! Jane and Vaughan Peckham
My condolences to the Heard family. I met Dick (and Flora) back in the 1970's as I was a good friend with John Heard in high school. I remember Dick was always busy puttering, working on the farm and I remember the steel storage shed he was building one summer during many visits to the Heard homestead. I re-connected with John (and Mary) during a short time in Thunder Bay. Time passes and we wonder where the time went, it didn't seem that long ago. Unfortunately i don't live in the London area and will not be able to attend. All the best to John, Mary, Flora and the rest of the Heard Family.
My sincere condolences Flora and all your family. I first met Dick when I was in 4H in Waterloo County. Alan always enjoyed working with Dick during their time in OMAF. He also enjoyed seeking his advice on cropping and investing after they had both retired. Now they are both gone. He was a wonderful man.
Condolences to all the family. So sorry for your loss. Thinking of all of all you during this difficult time.
Thinking of you all. Thanks to Dick for all that he did for the Rainy River District. Wishing you brighter days, and good memories! Your friend, Kim Jo Bliss
So sorry to hear of your loss. Condolences to the whole family. May God give you strength to bear the loss and Peace to the departed soul.
Dick was one of my great mentors while employed with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Through Dick's encouragement, numerous 4-H Tractor Clubs, Machinery Clubs, and evening short courses for farmers on topics like welding, farm machinery maintenance, electricity, and farm buildings were developed and run throughout Middlesex County for the benefit of the farming community. A much belated thank you to Dick is in order. May you sleep well in the house of the Lord.
(Donated to Canadian Foodgrains Bank)
(Donated to Canadian Foodgrains Bank)
(Donated to Canadian Foodgrains Bank)
(Donated to Canadian Foodgrains Bank)
(Donated to Canadian Foodgrains Bank)
(Donated to Canadian Foodgrains Bank)
(Donated to Canadian Foodgrains Bank)
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(Donated to Canadian Foodgrains Bank)
(Donated to Canadian Foodgrains Bank)
(Donated to Canadian Foodgrains Bank)
Our sincere condolences on the loss of such a gentle, kind and caring soul. Dick made such a great impression on our family as he was always so genuinely interested in everyone's well being and to inquire as to the happenings on the farm. He will be greatly missed .
Dick and I were Area Coordinators for many years, he in London and me in Stratford. We travelled together in many trips to Toronto for meetings usually meeting at Duff's Church at the corner of 401 and highway #6. We send our condolences to Flora and family. A special note to his son John who I knew well as a member of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Sorry for your loss of a wonderful place Dad. We will not be able to attend the funeral as we will be travelling on a camping trip. But we will be there in spirit to remember a special friend who coached me a younger college who needed his wise counsel
I will forever remember Dick's yearly farm and crop updates shared every Thanksgiving at Oakridge Presbyterian Church. As he spoke a wave of gratitude to God and His enabling of these wonderful men and women who work tirelessly in the field to produce all manner of food for man and animals. Thank you . Our condolences to Flora and the Heard family.
Thinking of Aunt Flora and the entire London Heard family at this sad time. We have so many happy memories of Uncle Dick and all the wonderful family get togethers in London over the years. It takes a special uncle to have the patience to try to teach a bunch of nephews how to water ski behind a 9hp outboard motor and an aluminium boat on the Thames (at least that is how I remember it...)!! Godspeed Uncle Dick, you have left an amazing legacy.
Dick was a wonderful and loyal friend. Will always remember Dick's special touch with farm management issues when on a 'call' out somewhere in the county. I had decided early in my career that this way of doing things was the 'gold standard' of extension work with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture. Then there were things like maple syrup, grafting fruit trees, cutting lawns, growing vegetables, back porch or kitchen visits, and putting up cords of firewood. All in expert hands. Paula and I sincerely express our condolences to Flora and family on Dick's passing. He will be missed but what a mentor and teacher he was for all.
Dick Heard was my Sunday School some 45 years ago. He was a beautiful role model for us 12 year olds: faithful, kind, and calm but firm. One could tell that he believed in each of us and wanted the best for us. My thoughts and prayers are with Flora, John, Marie, Janice and Keith. My love to you all. Rev. Dr. Todd McDonald
Dick was one of the first people I met in 1970 when I started working at the Middlesex Ministry of Ag and Food office. I soon experienced his great listening skills, his curiosity and wisdom when it came to most things and in particular, agricultural business management. I especially remember the summer that Ed Barrie, Dick and I renovated the "hired man's cottage" at the Heards' Highway 22 farm. Lots of hard work, surprises and laughter. My thoughts and prayers are with the Heard family.
I have known Dick since the early to mid 1960's when we serve on an Ontario Farm Management Committee that met periodically in Toronto, Dick representing the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and myself from Farm Credit Corporation while I was stationed in Walkerton. We both had something in common besides an interest in farm management in that we both owned and operated farms. Our paths separated for a few years in the 1970's but connected again in 1978 when we moved to London and often met at various meetings, mainly the Ontario Institute of Agrologists. Helen and I often would visit with Flora and Dick at various BBQ's at Poplar Hill and at maple syrup breakfast's at different locations north of London. Dick was highly regarded in the agricultural community which led him to be inducted into the Middlesex County Hall of Fame in 2011. Our sincere condolences to Flora and family.
Sincere sympathy to Flora and family on the passing of a loving husband, father and grandfather. He will be greatly missed.
I had the good fortune to work with Dick for a number of years. He was exemplary in his development of people and making those around him better at what they did. He was a significant influence in my career and I'm very thankful for the opportunity to get to know and work with him. I'm sure Dick will be missed by all who knew him. My sincere condolences to the Heard family.
My mother, Mary was a cousin to Richard and the Heard family. I met Richard a few times over the last few years and enjoyed connecting with that side of my extended family. My condolences to the Heard family.
A wonderful man and a wonderful friend he will be greatly missed
I first met Dick in the fall of 1948 as freshmen at OAC. He lived with Don Richardson in the next room from me. During the summer of 1951 I worked for Dick's father on the farm while Dick was working for the Ministry of Agriculture. We kept in touch over the years at the reunions that OAC'52 held. Our last chat was at my 90th birthday celebration on June 8th 2019 . Joyce and my sincere condolences to the Heard family.
Our sincere condolences on the loss of such a gentle, kind and caring soul. Dick made such a great impression on our family as he was always so genuinely interested in everyone's well being and to inquire as to the happenings on the farm. He will be greatly missed .
Our sincere condolences to the Heard family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you on the passing of your father, grandfather Richard(Dick).
Our heartfelt sympathy to Flora, Janice and Tom, Rachel, Andrea and Jillian...and to all the Heard family. Brittany, Pete and Luke all spent time at the old farm having such fun exploring, swinging, picking raspberries, and they have fond memories of those days. Papa was a quiet and steady presence with a ready and welcoming smile. A dear man, who has left such a legacy. We hope that the pain of his loss will eventually lessen and the grand memories remain and sustain. Love.
To Flora and Family - Please accept my deepest sympathy in the loss of Dick. I'm so sorry. He was such a kind, gentle man. I remember all the special times we shared together in so many different settings. My caring thoughts are with each of you. Norma Clare
We send our sympathy and loving thoughts to Flora and family and to Agnes on Richard's passing. He was a caring, kind person who took time to be a friend to many people. He will be missed. Del and Diane Franks
The Redmond family was inspired by the Heard family's agricultural practices in Proton Township and my father & uncles had great respect for Dick. His sister, Audrey, guided me on a path to the University of Guelph and I became an Aggie, only meeting Dick when my career brought me to the London area. We became friends through the Ontario Institute of Agrology's Western Branch and through the Middlesex Soil & Crop Improvement Assoc. were he continued to be engaged and asked very insightful questions well into his 80's. Driving home from London on Wonderland Road, I would often have "firewood envy" as I gazed on the large piles of firewood that I knew were cut and split by Dick. May God provide Dick with a sharp axe and may he rest peacefully in Heaven. He certainly has earned it.
I have fond memories of Dick Heard being one of our mentors and (to my young eyes anyway) senior statesmen when I was first learning the ropes of farm management extension with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. He was always a true gentleman and a voice of experience and reason. I am sending my special thoughts to you, John and Mary, on your loss. Cherish the wonderful memories and all that he has meant for so many. Dick touched more lives than you will ever know.
Marlene and I extend our sincere condolences to the Heard family on Dick's passing. I had the good fortune to know Dick through our time with OMAFRA and to have Dick as my supervisor while I was in Niagara. He was a true gentleman and someone who I looked up to and learned a great deal from. His influence with young staff was well known and appreciated. We hope that the many fond memories of Dick will ease this sense of loss that so many feel.
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