Richard W. Heine

Madison -- Richard ""Dick"" Walter Heine, age 90, died on Sunday, May 17, 2009 at Oakwood West in Madison. He was born on July 22, 1918 in Detroit, Michigan to Walter and Lisette Heine. Dick married the love of his life, Mary A. Conklin, on March 30, 1940. Dick is survived by his daughter, Sally; son Robert; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. He attended public schools in Detroit and earned degrees in chemical and metallurgical engineering from Wayne State U and UW Madison respectively. Dick taught at General Motors Institute, Wayne State U, and UW Madison between 1936 and 1984 interrupted by naval service during World War II. From 1947 to 1984 he held faculty positions from instructor through professorships. He was department chair from 1964 to 1974 and initiated the change from Metallurgical Engineering to Materials Science and Engineering in both course subject content and department designations. Graduate student theses included casting processes, cast iron metallurgy, recycling, brazing in space, molding sands and clays, casting design and defect prevention. Over 300 research papers and textbook ""Principles of Metal Casting"" were authored and used world-wide. Honors included the 1967 American Foundry Society Gold Medal for Achievement, the 1979 Ragnar Ohnstad Award for Service to Science and Society, the 1976 American Welding Society Charles H. Jennings Award, and the 1976 C.W. Briggs Electric Furnace AIME award. He was a Fellow of the American Society for Metals, and President of the American Foundry Society Milwaukee Chapter 1971-1972. In retirement he researched casting waste disposal and prevention of water contamination from casting processes cooperatively with Civil Engineering faculty. Sports, fishing, and reading were hobbies. His major interest was study of the Holy Bible and all related publications. Favorite verses were John 3:16 and John 8:31-32. The latter reads: ""If you abide in My Word then you are truly disciples of mine; and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."" The verse can be found in part on a plaque on UW South Hall. How greatly we need the truth today in every field of human endeavor. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2009 at OAKWOOD WEST in the RESURRECTION CHAPEL, 6205 Mineral Point Road, Madison. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Oakwood Foundation, 6205 Mineral Point Road, Madison, WI 53705.