Richard E. "Dick" Hickam

Richard E. “Dick” Hickam, 97, of Bloomington passed away on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at the Hearthstone Health Campus. He was born on November 17, 1925 the son of Ross and Sue Lena (Faust) Hickam. Following his graduation from Bloomington High School in 1943 he entered the United States Naval Reserve officer training program during the latter part of World War II. Upon discharge he returned to Indiana University and was graduated in 1947 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Business. After graduation he was employed by Indiana University as an accountant. He later served as Director of Internal Auditing, Business Manager of the I.U. Foundation, Director of Accounting and Director of Investments and Cash Management. He served as president of the Association of College and University Auditors, and was a member of the National Association of Cash Managers. He retired from Indiana University in 1988, after forty-one years of service in these various administration positions. Active in civic and community affairs, he is a former Chairman of the Board of the University Y.M.C.A. and served as a director of the Bloomington and Monroe County United Fund. In 1954 he was recognized with the Bloomington Junior Chambers of Commerce’s distinguished Service Award. Since his retirement he has been an active volunteer in the Bloomington Hospital Meals-on-Wheels program and the Monroe County Chapter of the American Red Cross Transportation Service. He married Phyllis Joan Harrell on August 12, 1945. Phyllis passed away on February 11, 2011 after sixty-five years of marriage. They had three daughters, Becky Houghton; Ann Linthicum and Kathy (Steve) Mishler; he has six grandchildren, Jennifer Mishler; Julie (Kyle) Webb; Joyce (Dean) Fruit; Tom (Becky) Nelson; Michelle (Alvin) Sanders and Megan (James) Mishler; twelve great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren. He was a member of the First Baptist-United Church of Christ where he served in many leadership positions, but recently affiliated with the Bloomington Free Methodist Church for the last few years. His masonic record began in May 1954, when he was raised a Master Mason in Monroe Lodge No.22 in Bloomington. He served as Worshipful Master of that Lodge in 1963, during which time he was one of three Masters in Indiana to serve on the board of Directors of the Indiana Masonic Home. He was appointed Junior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of Indiana in 1965, and advanced regularly each year to higher office until his election in May 1970 to the office of Grand Master of Masons in Indiana. He served during 1970-71 as the one hundred twentieth Mason to be honored. In 1973 he was first elected Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Indiana, to which office he was re-elected for twenty-one consecutive terms. In July, 1993 he resigned the office following more than twenty years of service. He became a member of the Masonic Home Board of Directors a second time when he was Deputy Grand Master and continued on the board as Grand Master. When his year as Grand Master was finished, he was appointed to a three-year term on the Board. After completing two years of that three-year term and his election as Grand Treasurer he became a Board member by virtue of office, and continued as a Board member until1993 when he resigned as Grand Treasurer, at which time he was again appointed to a three-year term. His Home Board membership has, as a result been continuous since 1969 to date, a period of fifty-four years. During this period, he was re-elected annually as Chairman of the Board since January 1979. He is affiliated with the three York Rite bodies in Bloomington and served as High Priest of Bloomington Chapter No 127, Royal Arch Masons in 1981, and the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Indianapolis in which he served as Thrice Potent Master of the Lodge of Perfection in 1984-85. He received the thirty-third degree as a honorary member of the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in 1970. Other affiliations include St. Basil Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, having served as Illustrious Sovereign in 1978, Southern Indiana Chapter no 328, National Sojourners having served as President during 1990-92, Royal Order of Scotland and Society of Rosicrucians. He is the recipient of the DeMolay Legion of Honor, an honorary member of the DeMolay Supreme Council and a member of the Board of Directors of the Indiana DeMolay Foundation, having served as Board President during 1988-1990, and as Treasurer since that time to present. A funeral Service will be held at 11:00am Monday, September 11, 2023 at the Allen Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 4:00pm to 8:00pm Sunday, September 10, 2023 with a Masonic Service at 7:00pm followed by a Scottish Rite thirty-third degree service. And visitation also on Monday from 10:00am to service time both at the funeral home. The family would like to thank Hearthstone Heath Campus for their care and kindness during his stay at their facility. In Lieu of flowers, Richard has requested memorial contributions be made to the Indiana Masonic Home Foundation, 525 N. Illinois Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204. Allen Funeral Home and Crematory have been entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with family and friends at www.allencares.com

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Richard E. "Dick" Hickam

November 17, 1925 - September 6, 2023