Richard Joseph Heuchert

Richard Joseph Heuchert, age 82 of St. Thomas, ND passed away on Sunday, July 22, 2012 at the Northwood Deaconess Hospital. He was born June 17, 1930 at Grafton Deaconess Hospital to parents Joseph and Hilda (Puppe) Heuchert. He was baptized July 6, 1930 and confirmed July 23, 1944. He attended school district #54 and graduated from St. Thomas High School in 1948. He later graduated from Utilities Engineering Institute of Chicago, IL in 1956. Richard was united in marriage to Agnes M. Erlandson June 29, 1951 at Zion English Lutheran Church, Grafton. They farmed in St. Thomas Township until his retirement. Richard was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, LCMS, where he served on the church council. Through the years he also served as trustee, elder, cemetery board chairman and sexton. He taught Sunday School and Bible classes. He was a delegate to numerous synodical conventions. In 1975, he started the Bean Growers Association in Pembina County which grew into the Red River Edible Bean Growers Assoc. by spring of that year. He was the first president of the steering committee and director of the newly organized association. The name was later changed to Northarvest Bean Growers Association. He appeared before the ND Legislature to testify for the need of a bean plant pathologist at NDSU because of plant disease in beans. Richard played an active role in the township and was a Township Supervisor for 41 years. He was a past president of Pembina County Township Officers Association. He was awarded the "Mr. Township" award in 2002 by the ND Township Officers Assoc. He is survived by his wife Agnes; three daughters: Joan (Rev. Mark) Schumm, Oneida, WI; Janet (RP) Newman, Littleton, CO; Shirley (Gary) Grosz, Kulm, ND: six grandchildren: John (Alyssa) Schumm, Sarah (Bill) Ward, Mary Grosz, Andrea, Amy and Ryan Newman. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Helen Unke.