BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – We are saddened to announce the passing of a valuable member of our news team, Dick Heidt, who died Monday morning.
Heidt, a proud Navy veteran, began his news career at KFYR-TV in 1969, where he served as a reporter, news director and general manager before his retirement in 2015.
His funeral will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Pro-Cathedral of St. Mary in Bismarck.
In honor of him, we wanted to share this story we first put together about his award-winning career when he retired 10 years ago.
Dick Heidt grew up in Mandan, North Dakota, and developed a passion for journalism at a young age.
“It was love at first sight. It was something I knew I wanted to do even as I grew older,” said Heidt.
He got his start at the Mandan Morning Pioneer newspaper at just 14 years old. After serving four years in the Navy, Dick returned to Bismarck and began his career at KFYR-TV on June 1, 1969. There, he collaborated with some of the state’s most talented journalists and photographers.
“I’ve worked with Dick, under Dick as my supervisor, as my news director, now as general manager. He’s always treated me fair,” said Dwyane Walker, longtime chief photographer.
During his tenure, Heidt grew his newsroom staff from nine to 22, and he was dedicated to instilling accuracy in his employees.
“He’s an old-time newspaper journalist. Just the facts, sir, just the facts. I learned that from him,” said Cliff Naylor, retired KFYR reporter and photographer.
Heidt’s exceptional contributions to journalism were recognized with two Emmy Awards. In 2008, he received the Silver Circle Award from the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and in 2009, he was honored with the Northwest Broadcast News Association’s Mitchell Charnley Award for lifetime achievement.
Heidt hired longtime anchors Lee Timmerman and Monica Hannan, who not only learned from him but also became close friends.
“We played poker together, we played softball together back when we could do that. We were on the same softball team. Spent a lot of time with Dick in and out of work,” said Timmerman.
“Of all the people I’ve ever known, he is the most generous. He will do anything for a friend. If you’re in trouble, he’ll always find a way to help you. That is one of his best qualities: his generosity,” said Hannan.
Another key hire for Heidt was General Sales Manager Barry Schumaier, who took over as the new general manager when Heidt retired.
“Dick will take in the information, give it some very careful thought, he takes it seriously, and then he makes a decision. I love that, learned a lot from Dick as a manager,” said Schumaier.
As he headed into retirement, Heidt left one last piece of advice for the industry: “You are never going to replace local news, no matter how it’s disseminated, whether it’s on a cell phone, a computer, whatever. It still must be there because people want their local news, especially in a rural state like North Dakota. Keep your passion for this business. It’s not going to make you rich, but if you think you’re a writer and you enjoy the news business, give it your best because it’s the best thing you can possibly do.”
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