In Memory Of
Richard Ray Hickernell
1943
2024
Richard Ray Hickernell
April 1, 1943 — April 1, 2024
Dick (Richard) Hickernell, 81, passed away Monday, April 1st, on his birthday in Westerville, Ohio, surrounded by family and friends. Dick was born on April 1st, 1943, in Celina, Ohio.
Dick was proceeded in death by his parents John and Berdenice (Beale) Hickernell, and half-brother Jack James.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Sandy Hickernell; son, Jeff (Natalie) Hickernell; daughter, Chris (Steve) Burns; grandchildren, Adam (Jennifer) Hickernell, Katie (Justin) Gartin, and Cindy (Anson) Ellis-Brown; and great-grandchildren Georgia Hickernell, Benjamin Gartin, Maia Hickernell, and Emerson Gartin.
Dick's passion from an early age was automotive racing, engine building, and design. He was an original member of the famed Rod Shop All-American Drag Racing Team in Columbus, Ohio, from 1968 to 1971, campaigning a 1963 Corvette. He was a member of The National Hot Rod Association, competing in NHRA's Division 3 in Stock Eliminator, Super Stock Eliminator, and finally in Competition Eliminator, where he won the coveted US Nationals championship in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1980. He was also runner-up for the national title at Riverside, California, that year in his category. After retiring from driving, he opened a successful racing engine business in the mid-1980s, Hickernell & Williams Racing Engines. He was also a co-founder of All Pro Cylinder Heads with partner Bob Williams. He loved all forms of motorsports and enjoyed helping people with their engines and cars.
Dick retired early from Anheuser Busch in Columbus, Ohio, where he was a facilities maintenance technician for 26 years. After retirement, he and his wife Sandy traveled with their motorhome, wintering in south Texas and eventually heading to Florida for the last dozen or so winters before his illness. Dick loved time with his family and friends. Dick was always actively talking, planning, and dreaming racing even through the challenges of his illness, often joking with doctors and nurses about his future exploits. He was a 'True Gearhead' at heart! He will be missed.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
Dick was proceeded in death by his parents John and Berdenice (Beale) Hickernell, and half-brother Jack James.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Sandy Hickernell; son, Jeff (Natalie) Hickernell; daughter, Chris (Steve) Burns; grandchildren, Adam (Jennifer) Hickernell, Katie (Justin) Gartin, and Cindy (Anson) Ellis-Brown; and great-grandchildren Georgia Hickernell, Benjamin Gartin, Maia Hickernell, and Emerson Gartin.
Dick's passion from an early age was automotive racing, engine building, and design. He was an original member of the famed Rod Shop All-American Drag Racing Team in Columbus, Ohio, from 1968 to 1971, campaigning a 1963 Corvette. He was a member of The National Hot Rod Association, competing in NHRA's Division 3 in Stock Eliminator, Super Stock Eliminator, and finally in Competition Eliminator, where he won the coveted US Nationals championship in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1980. He was also runner-up for the national title at Riverside, California, that year in his category. After retiring from driving, he opened a successful racing engine business in the mid-1980s, Hickernell & Williams Racing Engines. He was also a co-founder of All Pro Cylinder Heads with partner Bob Williams. He loved all forms of motorsports and enjoyed helping people with their engines and cars.
Dick retired early from Anheuser Busch in Columbus, Ohio, where he was a facilities maintenance technician for 26 years. After retirement, he and his wife Sandy traveled with their motorhome, wintering in south Texas and eventually heading to Florida for the last dozen or so winters before his illness. Dick loved time with his family and friends. Dick was always actively talking, planning, and dreaming racing even through the challenges of his illness, often joking with doctors and nurses about his future exploits. He was a 'True Gearhead' at heart! He will be missed.
A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Richard Ray Hickernell, please visit our flower store.
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