Hegmann - Richard Kohl "Dick"
Died peacefully at Tidewell Hospice on June 30th, 2021, in Sarasota, Florida, at the age of 74 after a brief illness. Dick is survived by his wife of 49 years, Myra Isabel (nee Bolinsky), children Rachael Lea Biederman (George Daley III) of Dallas, Texas, Moriah Rose Bolinsky Hegmann of Kenmore, New York and Joshua Kohl Hegmann of North Hollywood, California. Dick will also be remembered by his sister, Linda Ann Huber of Longboat Key, Florida and grandchildren Caton Collins, Corinne Biederman and Eleanor Daley. He is preceded in death by his father, Herman Kohl Hegmann, his mother and step-father Lucy Ann Hegmann Baitz and Arthur R. Baitz and his brother Herman Alan Hegmann. Dick was born on March 13, 1947 in Buffalo, New York. He graduated from Kenmore West High School in 1965 and later the University of New York at Buffalo with a degree in English. He and Myra were married in 1972 at Temple Sinai in Amherst, New York. Dick spent a career in crushed stone, blacktop and concrete as a quality control engineer working for Lancaster Stone Products, Buffalo Crushed Stone, Great Lakes Concrete and ultimately retiring from Lafarge North America. He was a past member of the National Stone Association Health and Safety Committee, New York State Asphalt Pavement Association Environmental and Health Committee and the Empire State Concrete and Aggregate Association Environmental and Health Committee. Dick and Myra moved to Akron, New York in 1976 where Dick became an active member in the local community. His interest in supporting local education led him to nine years of service on the Akron School Board from 2001 to 2010, as both member at large, Vice President and President, and the Erie County Association of School Board Legislative Team. He represented Akron as a New York State Board Association Delegate to Albany and Washington, D.C. Dick served five years as president of Akron's Chamber of Commerce from 1984 to 1989, as a founding member and Vice-Chairman of the Newstead Conservation Advisory Council beginning in 1986 and a member of the Akron Zoning Board of Appeals since 1990. With his love of sports, he coached local league and travel soccer teams and served a term as Director of the Akron Soccer League. He was an active and dedicated member of the Akron Masonic Lodge #527 for much of his life. He progressed through the chairs and was elected Master in 1991. In 1998 he was appointed by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York to be the District Deputy Grand Master for the Third Erie County District. He relished their philanthropic charge and often volunteered baking bread, hosting children's Christmas parties or working the grill at community pancake breakfasts. Dick and Myra have had a seasonal home for many years, in Longboat Key, Florida. In their retirement he could often be found there enjoying the sun and fishing with his grandchildren. Dick chose to dedicate his body to scientific research through United Tissue Network. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date. For those interested in honoring his memory, donations may be made to the Hospice provider of your choice. Dick's family would like to thank the physicians, nurses and staff at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Tidewell Hospice House for their compassion and care. May his memory be a blessing to everyone that knew and loved him.