BAYCC and Pacifica Institute participated in Dick Heiman’s Celebration of Life at Peninsula Temple Beth El on Friday, Jan 26, 2024. Dick Heiman is an old Pacifica Institute well-wisher who has contributed numerous times to the Pacifica community. Mahmut Altun, a former Director of NorCal, Pacifica Institute shared his memoir at the event.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we gather here today, we are united by the love and the profound sense of loss we all feel for a man who touched our lives in ways words can hardly express.

Richard was not just a friend; he was a constant source of light and warmth in our lives, a force of nature whose energy and spirit were as boundless as his capacity to love.

Richard was a man of many talents and passions, but above all, he was a man of extraordinary kindness. He was a man of GOD.

Patience, kindness, empathy, courage – these were the tenets he lived by, and instilled in everyone around him.

Richard found joy in the simplest things, and in doing so, taught us to appreciate those little moments that make life so beautiful.

Richard was a friend who was always there, in good times and in bad. He was our rock when we were adrift, our compass when we lost our way. His friendship was a gift, one that we unwrapped every day, one that brought us immense joy, comfort, and love.

As we bid farewell to our dear friend Richard today, let us not lose ourselves in the sorrow of loss, but rather find comfort in the memories we shared, the laughter, the tears, the love.

Let us remember him not with sadness, but with the joy he brought into our lives, the lessons he taught us, and the love he shared with us.

Richard, you were a blessing in our lives, a light that never dimmed. You were a friend who left footprints of love and kindness on our hearts. As we say goodbye, know that your spirit will continue to live on in the garden of our memories, in the bloom of every flower, in the rustle of every leaf.

Rest in peace, dear Richard. You will be missed, but your spirit, your love, and your light will forever shine bright in our hearts.

Mahmut Altun, Former Director of Pacifica Institute NorCal