Richard "Dick" Hurtig Heim

Richard “Dick” Hurtig Heim, age 93, from Duluth, MN passed away peacefully on October 22, 2022 surrounded by his loved ones. He graduated from Denfeld High School in 1947 and then went to UMD for his undergraduate degree and began teaching at Ashland High School. Dick joined the US Marine Corps for 2 years where he was inspired to see new places around the world. He went on to receive a M.S. in Library Science from Syracuse University Graduate School in New York. Following, he moved to Japan to use his education to do work with the U.S. Air Force. He designed a new library in Fukuoka for the base out of an old morgue and orchestrated the design and furnishings of the library that won him awards for his achievement. While living in Japan, Dick fell in love with the simple beauty of the environment and the incredible hospitality of the people. He had two sons with his first wife, the late Catharine Alspach, prior to moving back stateside. When back in the US, Dick accepted teaching appointments at Duluth Denfeld and other Duluth schools. Dick’s love for research and his degree in Library Sciences eventually brought him to UW Superior. In 1966, he married the love of his life Joan ‘Mankowski’ Daugherty. They bought a house on London Road to join the new blended family of 7. Dick and Joan lived in Japan for 8 years where they made many memories traveling and meeting new friends. They even opened ‘The House of Heim,’ an import store run out of their Duluth home. Dick was named professor emeritus of Library Science and retired in 2000. He traveled frequently to Hawaii to get away from the harsh Duluth winters. Dick had a lifelong love and appreciation of music and was a long time board member of the Big Time Jazz Orchestra (BTJO). Jazz was his passion. Dick is preceded in death by his mother Alta Nylander Heim; his late wife Joan ‘Mankowski’ Heim; his son Eric “Iya” Heim; daughter Elizabeth “Beth” Daugherty; brother James “Jim” Heim; first cousin Fred Nylander. Dick is survived by: special companion of 24 years Mary Fryberger; sons: Chris (Donna) Heim, Kevin (Jeanine) Daugherty, Brian (Heidi) Daugherty, Grandkids: Samara Heim, Caleah Heim, Devon (Shelton) Viola, Kaitlyn (Steve) Daugherty, Conner (Jess) Daugherty, Rio Daugherty, Sophie (Seth) Daugherty, Great Grandchildren: Oak & Meadow Cleim, August & Nels Viola. In lieu of flowers, any gifts to the family will be used to honor Dick in a memorial on the Lake Walk. Our family would like to extend our sincere gratitude to those who shared their special memories with Dick in his last days. We also want to thank the staff at Essentia in the Medical Intensive Care Unit and Miller Dwan Hospice. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.