Orinda Fixture Richard Heggie Dies At Home

Richard Heggie, first mayor of the City of Orinda, passed away at his home in Orinda on May 9, 2012, surrounded by his family. He was 88.

Born in Oakland and raised in Berkeley, Heggie was the younger son of Scottish parents, Jane Alice and David Heggie. After graduating from Berkeley High School, he attended the University of California, Berkeley during the war years -- graduating at sea during service with the U.S. Navy. After the war he returned to the University of California, Berkeley where he received his Masters in International Relations. He met his future wife, Bea, through his involvement with the Cal Symphony Forum and after he proved his willingness to move a piano for her. They married in 1948.

During a nineteen year tenure with the Asia Foundation Heggie was posted to Japan, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and India. Later, he served as Executive Director of the World Affairs Council of Northern California for over twelve years before retiring in 1983.

Heggie was a lifetime Cal Bears fan and served the university in many capacities including: President of the University of California Alumni Association; Regent of the University of California; Trustee of the UC Berkeley Foundation; board member, International House; member of the Executive Committee of the Institute of Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies; and he was a Berkeley Fellow. He was also President of the Japan Society of Northern California, the National Council of Community World Affairs Organizations, the East Bay Division of the League of California Cities, the Society for Asian Art, and Chair of the San Francisco Committee on Foreign Relations; Vice President of the Oakland Museum and Vice Chair of the Chinese Culture Foundation; and board member of California Shakespeare Theater, American Red Cross Bay Area, San Francisco - Osaka Sister City Association, Kennedy King Scholarship Fund and the West Coast Chapter of the Institute of International Education. He was also co-founder of the Orinda - Tabor Sister City Foundation and a partner in Freemark Abbey Winery. The Government of Belgium honored him with the Order of Leopold II. He was also recognized as Orinda Citizen of the Year and received the Japan Society Lifetime Achievement Award. He was made Director Emeritus of the East Bay Community Foundation. For his contributions to the University of California, he was awarded a California Alumni Citation and Wheeler Oak Award.

Heggie enjoyed backpacking in the high Sierra, fishing, and spending summer vacations at his home on the Truckee River. He loved classical music and enjoyed the San Francisco Opera and Symphony. He traveled extensively throughout his life and led many tours internationally through his association with the Cal Alumni Association and the World Affairs Council. He never lost his zeal for visiting and/or climbing every tower, museum or tomb in each foreign city he visited. Heggie's friends said he will be particularly remembered for his integrity, determination, eloquence, and sense of humor.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother and is survived by Bea, his wife of 63 years, three daughters, Karen of Mountain View, Jennifer (Ray) of San Francisco, and Deborah (Ed) and two grand-daughters, Sarah and Emily, of Maryland. At his request, there will be no formal service. A gathering of friends and family will be held in his honor at a later date. Remembrances may be made to the CAA Beatrice and Richard Heggie TAAP Scholarship , Alumni House, Berkeley, CA 94720, or the East Bay Community Foundation, De Domenico Building, 200 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA 94612, Attn: Giles Miller.