Richard G. Heitman, (Dick) of Vergennes, beloved brother, husband, father, and grandfather passed from this world September 25, 2008. Richard was born on March 9, 1930 in Shoreham, Vt., son of Grandey and Kathryn (Johnson) Heitman. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 53 years, Jeanette (Butterfield) Heitman whom he met at the age of 14 in the apple orchards of Shoreham; two sisters Shirley West and Joyce Bollinger; daughter Cheryl Williams and husband Ted; son Rick Heitmann; son Ray Heitmann and daughter Beth Heitman and husband Troy Doolan; by 5 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Richard attended the New Hampton School in New Hampton, NH and after graduating he headed for Boston, MA to complete his education at the Wentworth Institute of Technology where he studied Steam and Diesel Engineering and Industrial Electricity. After completing his education Richard enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and served as an Air Force Police Officer from 1949-1953, first stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska as a patrolman and then at Mitchell Field, Long Island, NY as the Air Force Police Sargant of the Guard. Richard and Jeanette were wed on June 14, 1055 and resided on Cream Hill in Shoreham, VT. They operated the Heitman Supply Company in Middlebury selling appliances, dairy equipment and conducting plumbing, heating, and refrigeration service. Richard moved the family to Rhinebeck, NY in 1967 upon accepting a position with the DeLaval Separator Company in Poughkeepsie, NY. Richard began his tenure as a Dairy Equipment Field Engineer and quickly moved up through the DeLaval ranks; Product Engineer, and Supervisor of Farm System Planning, Manager of Engineering- Farm Division, Manager of Field Services, and Regional Product Manager. Richard and Jeanette moved the family back to Vermont having accepted the position of Manager of DeLaval Sales and Service with the Broughton Farm Supply Company where he worked until he opened his own consulting firm, Heitman and Associates Inc. Upon retirement, they traveled extensively finally returning to their home State of Vermont. Through the years Richard had been very active in the community groups; Twin State Sanitarians Association of Vermont and New Hampshire, Addison County Fair Association Board of Directors, Presbyterian Church and Mens Club, PTA member, Simonds Lodge # 59 member, Potter Chapter # 22, Middlebury Council # 14, Cairo Temple A.A.O.M. N.S., Cairo Drum and Bugle Core, The Order of the Eastern Star, and Morning Sun Lodge # 5 F. & A.M. Services were held at Sanderson Funeral Home on September 28, 2008. The Rev. John Sanbourn officiated. Burial took place at Lakeview Cemetery, Shoreham, VT. In lieu of flowers please send donations to; Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa FL. 33607-1460/ ; www.shrinesshq.org\hospitals ; Morning Sun Lodge # 5 F. & A., 96 North Cream Hill Road, Bridport, VT 05734-9617; American Diabetes Association, PO Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312/ www.diabetes.org. Online condolences @ www.sandersonfuneralservice.com