Richard was born on March 16, 1923, in Sully, Iowa to Bastian and Kundertje Vis Heemsbergen. He was raised in the Sully area and attended rural schools in Jasper County. Following his education he assisted his family with farming. On March 2, 1945, he was married to Reka Septer in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The couple farmed near Sully and Lynnville and in 1948 they operated a grain and livestock farm near Searsboro. He moved to Seeland Park in Grinnell in 1999. Rich enjoyed square dancing, playing cards and NASCAR. He is survived by one sister, Bertha VandeKrol of Sully; one nephew, Brian Heemsbergen of Clive, Iowa; and three nieces, Rita Gardner of West Des Moines, Iowa, Shirley VandeKrol of Lewisville, Texas and Gayle VandeKrol of Montezuma, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; and one brother, Dick Heemsbergen. Memorials may be directed to the Sully Cemetery Association.