Dick used to hang out with Sidney Gelber and
Eugene Bruck in Van Cortlandt park near De Witt Clinton high school.  I was a friend of Mildred Gelber,Sidney’ s sister.  The younger crowd.  How brilliant these guys were.  And
How I admired them . Had a crush on all three.
Wish I could tell them  about my paintings in
So many museums, and the books I’d had
Published. I was the invisible fourth guy/gal
And I miss the friendship that could never be.!

I first met Professor Heffner when I took his course Mass Communications and the American Image at Rutgers in 1968. We renewed our acquaintance a few years ago to reminisce about a mutual friend,the late Joe Fox, an editor at Random House. Dick gave me the honorary title of Ernie, what he and Joe called each other. I loved being a part of that club. Heffner was a wonderful teacher and an excellent journalist and historian. He will be missed.

One of the best, brightest, most engaging people we have ever known.  We'll miss his wry humor and wit, not to mention his gracious presence. We all loved you, Dick.

He was a big influence on my life although we never met. I was aware of his work since the early 1960s. Only in recent years did I get up the nerve to write to him. His answers were wonderful. I was just about to write to him again to ask whether it was a conscious decision on his part or was it his inborn, gracious nature which made it possible for him to maintain his composure all the time on TV, even when guests were difficult. I can't say enough about how grateful I am for the wonderful works he left to the world. Deepest sympathy to his family, friends, and colleagues.

Richard Heffner & many 'closet' intellectuals watched 'The Ugly George Hour Of Truth,Sex & Violence' on NYC cableTV. For a time we lived within 50 feet of each other on the Upper West Side-I asked him many times 2B on 'Open Mind' @ Rutgers, but he claimed 'The Dean' vetoed it...

It's been 32 years since I sat in Dick's classes and it still seems like yesterday. Few other courses came close for me. Dick, it was a honor; as it was to view you as a friend for the many years after.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Dick will be sorely missed by all of us as well as each and every person fortunate enough to have been touched by his presence. 
We love you. Judy, Kenny, Ali and Sam

To a man whom I've known and admired for 31 years. I'll miss you Dick, and all the times and conversations we've had together.

I am truly sorry for your lost. My heart hurts and hurts for you. I always admired Mr. Heffner. I'm speechless, my heart goes out to you Elaine. I'm going to miss him bringing his little friend Casey in to the office.
~Sandra Capillo @ Delman Chiropractic~

The Baums send our condolences to Elaine, Daniel, Andrew and the entire Heffner family . Dick was a giant - mentor, mensch, scholar, journalist, dear friend to our parents. I cherished our conversations and his guidance about history, careers, passions. Thank you, Mr. Heffner.

Our condolences to the entire Heffner family. Dick was a wonderful person and good friend whose absence will leave a huge gap in the lives of all who knew him.
                      David and Susan Gerstein

I wept as soon as I read. From the moment I met Dick 24 years ago, he was my inspiration, my mentor and my friend. For that I am forever grateful. Chronicling his wonderful life and his extraordinary career was my special, ongoing pleasure. I can hear him now every so gently interrogating the Almighty and summing up by asking, "Fair question?" What a legacy. What a man. Elaine, are you receiving? All my love.

I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family during this difficult time.

We have lost our Mr. Chips-a cherished and beloved mentor and friend. Our sincerest sympathy.

Good night, favorite teacher

Elaine, Alexander:  Amid the many people who will rightly remark on your "good luck" (as an old friend used to say that an old friend used to say) in having Dick these decades, I hope some will remark on Dick's good luck in having you.

Elaine, I emailed Dick last Aug. 4:  "Happy birthday, tomorrow, Dick!  Gotta run, but I dropped in on your website just now & was delighted to see a few minutes of a wonderful guest: Elaine."  Dick replied an hour later:  "Thanks for the birthday greeting, Hank (88! I can hardly believe it!).  I thought Elaine was great."

Alexander, in a Feb. 10, 2008 email, your grandfather called you an "energetically determined and intelligent self-starter.  He knows what he wants to do academically and professionally; what he wants to do makes great good sense."

Beyond those words Dick typed, his voice showed joy and admiration when he mentioned either of you.

A measure of Dick's profound effect as a teacher (my favorite ever) is that he could be summarized in a single syllable.  I was sitting next to Michael Perlin in a class where the professor spoke at great length about the role of mass media in the topic at hand.  Taking notes, Michael reduced the professor's long discourse to:  "Heff."

I am so very sorry for your great loss. What an incredible man. You are all in my prayers at this time. God has an amazing angel in his arms.

I am so sorry for your family loss. I know losing a loved one is hard to go through. I will keep you in my prayers. May You draw close to God at this time.

OBITUARY

Richard D. Heffner

Born 5 AUGUST, 1925

Riverside Memorial Chapel

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