Heger, Richard "Dick" Edward (7-9-1932 to 1-28-2021)

HEGER, WILLEMS, DAVITT, CIANCIARUSO, BOYLE, CLARKE, TALLEY, LYONS, EGAN

Posted By: James E Mincks (email)
Date: 2/8/2021 at 09:19:56

Richard "Dick" Edward Heger, 88, will be remembered for his friendliness, generosity, and faithfulness to his family and God. He died peacefully with family by his side on January 28, 2021 at the VA Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.

Dick was born in Des Moines on July 9, 1932, the youngest of the three sons of Eberhard and Frances (Willems) Heger, He attended St. Peter's Elementary School and graduated from Dowling High School in 1950. Dick financed his college education by working as an apprentice jeweler at Plumb Jewelry Store. His college career was interrupted when he was drafted into the Army and served in Korea from 1953-55. He returned and earned his business degree in accounting from
Drake University and became a Certified Public Accountant in 1962. In 1960, Dick married Denise Davitt, and they had three children. After her death, he married Jean Cianciaruso in 1968, and they had four children.

To begin his career, Dick worked as a CPA at Denman and Company. Later, he became the manager of the external audit department at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa, where he rose to the rank of a vice president. When he retired from Blue Cross after 25 years, he continued to work part time as an administrative assistant to the pastor at St.Augustin's Church, receiving just a stipend, which he quickly gave away to his favorite charities. Until just a few years ago, Dick prepared taxes during the tax season through AARP and for his family members.

A devout Catholic, Dick attended daily Mass. He was an active member of Saint Mary of Nazareth Catholic Church for over 50 years, where he participated in the Knights of Columbus, Men's Club, weekly Bible Study, Pro-Life Committee, and more. He was also very active in the St.Serra Club, an organization which promotes vocations within the Catholic Church, and as a member of the Dominican Associates. In addition, Dick was a board member at both Broadlawns Hospital and Primary Health Care.

Dick was comfortable talking to anyone and loved to tell jokes. His favorite pastimes were fishing and playing games and cards with friends and family, along with boating, skiing, golfing, bowling, and tennis. He cherished the annual family vacation at the lake. Dick was a great cook; pies were his specialty. He loved to read, find a bargain, and could fix anything.

Dick is survived by his wife, Jean; six of his seven children: Elizabeth (Matthew) Boyle, St. Paul,MN; Richard Heger, Chicago,IL; Julia (Dennis) Clarke, Skokie,IL; Cecelia (James) Talley, Des Moines,IA; David (Catherine) Heger, Des Moines,IA; and Thomas (Julie) Heger, Beaverton,OR. He was exceedingly proud of his 15 grandchildren: Aidan and Claire Boyle; Theodore, Samuel, and Lucy Clarke; Josephine and Rachel Talley; Nicholas, Benjamin, Lilly, Anthony, Joseph, and Thomas Heger; and Jacob and Ashley Heger. He is also survived by his brother Godfrey (Margaret) Heger; brothers-and-sisters-in-law, Patrick and Barbara Lyons and Chuck and Mary Jo Cianciaruso; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his eldest daughter Teresa in 2018; brother and sister-in-law, Kilian and Mary Heger; and brothers-and-sisters-in-law, Bill and Rose Mary Egan and Ned and Mickey Davitt; and four nephews.

The family would like to sincerely thank the ER staff, the doctors, and the nurses on the third floor at the VA Hospital who took such wonderful care of Dick.

Visitation will be held at Iles Westover Chapel on Friday, February 5, from 4:30-7:00 with a Rosary to follow. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, February 6, at 10a.m. at St.Mary of Nazareth Church, 4600 Meredith Drive. The service will also be live-streamed on the Iles website. Go to IlesCares.com at 9:45 a.m. Saturday and scroll to the bottom of Dick's obituary to join in the service. Social distancing and face masks are required at both events. Private burial will be held at Glendale Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Agape Pregnancy Resource Center, Birthright, InnerVisions HealthCare, or Iowans for LIFE. Online condolences will be welcomed at IlesCares.com

published in the Des Moines Register,
Wednesday, February 3, 2021;
page 7c, columns 1,2,3.