Lee Richard (Dick) Hayman

I am at Aunt of Sophanne's today. I planned on coming to help with a few things and while I was driving here, older brother of recently deceased uncle passed away from complications related to Alzheimer's. And I already knew it was so because I saw that Monarch Butterfly as I headed toward the exit.

This is his obituary-

Long time Salinas, California resident and teacher, Lee Richard "Dick" Hayman died August 9, 2010 in Weirton, West Virginia at the age of 87. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. He taught at Salinas High School, Hartnell College,Monterey Peninsula College, San Jose State University and the University of the Americas in Mexico City, as well as conducting workshops for Salinas Elder Hostel programs. He was a lifelong literature instructor. He was one of the organizers of Steinbeck Interest groups in Salinas and helped found the national Steinbeck Center. A published writer, Hayman saw many of his poems and light verses appear in a variety of magazines, newspapers and books over the years.

He received honors from the national Steinbeck Center and the Robinson Jeffers Foundation of Carmel. They received his extensive collections of the author’s works and memorabilia, including valuable first editions. In April 2007, the Steinbeck Studies Center at San Jose university library unveiled his massive donation which will be used for research by scholars worldwide. It is recognized as unique and invaluable to the understanding of John Steinbeck, his home town, and his successful novels. Hayman will be remembered by thousands of his students for his wit and quick smile as well as his challenging assignments.


If you click on the link there is a picture of him just below Bruce Springsteen.

Here's the thing. He was awesome. One time (when the world was younger)I went to Lowe's with Uncle and Dick and seriously- my brain could not keep up with the punny humor, the quick wit, and the Marx-brothers-like shenanigans.

One time I was driving to work listening to NPR do a story on something John Steinbeck related and suddenly there was "Uncle Dick" (we called him that even though he wasn't "really" an uncle) talking through the speakers in the car. It blew my mind!

He occasionally sent me clippings of his poetry and thought it was hysterical that there was a British pop star that had the same name as I did.

Aunt talks about how he got to do everything he wanted to in life. The hardest part was the mental prison that caught him in the end.

The only immediate family members remaining are Aunt and Cousin of Sophanne. We will probably have an informal sort of memorial with family at the next holiday gathering- just to look at pictures, pay tribute, and collect memories. There's just not very many nearby left to immediately mourn his loss. And I knew I could count on my blog friends.