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Graeme Adamson uploaded photo(s)
Friday, February 10, 2023
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I had known Dick since 2010 and met him through his beloved Edington Festival in Wiltshire, UK. Dick's enthusiasm for this unique festival was evident each time we spoke after rehearsals or before services. I sing in the Schola Cantorum which is the plainsong choir which sings four services a day throughout the week-long festival. https://www.edingtonfestival.org/
I was saddened to learn of Dick's death and that I only found out about it some two years after he died. It was a privilege to have known him.
The photograph shows Dick sitting in his favourite pew second front row on the left!
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Carol Meier Lamb posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
I am Carol Meier Lamb. I was in Mr. Been's 8th grade chorus at Hicksville Junior High, and I was also in his elementary choir, youth choir, and then adult choir at the Hicksville Methodist Church. He loved music and loved to teach about singing with a spirit of excellence. He was fiercely adamant about holding a 4 beat note the entire 4 beats and not cutting it short. He taught me to love singing and singing well with that same excellent spirit that he had. He also taught me how to read sheet music. He taught me a lot about music. Also being a strict disciplinarian, he would get very emotional and go all the way to the back of the cafeteria where we practiced 8th grade chorus when he saw someone chewing gum to have them remove it and put in a piece of paper to throw out. But he was right: how can you sing and chew gum at the same time/
Now, I'm a worship leader at my church. He was instrumental in my love for singing worship songs and was an unforgettable teacher, and I thank God for him and the blessing he was in my life.
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Timothy Shizume posted a condolence
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Mr. Been was a great influence on me during my adolescent years. His love of music was evident during the countless choir rehearsals that I was honored to participate in. He was always encouraging, and I am very thankful for the opportunities that he gave me to grow musically by allowing me to accompany the choirs by playing the violin, guitar, and even the flute! The true measure of the man was that he was loved by all of his students!
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Rev. Earl M Smith planted a tree in memory of Richard Been
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
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In loving memory of Richard D. Been, a friend and Delta Kappa Theta fraternity brother since 1952. It has been great having you as a friend. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Philip Royce uploaded photo(s)
Monday, February 15, 2021
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Although I only first met Dick two years ago, we immediately became good friends. I enjoyed his quick sense of humor, and listening to his stories of boy scouting, and adventures past. Many a night I would stop by his tiny lake house during the shut-down, and we would have a visit, with some good story telling, and a nice gin/tonic (Dick was adamant that it be Beefeater Gin, and that will be my new norm for cocktails in memory of Dick!). Everyone should now how strong and courageous Dick was during this whole pandemic. Life was hard, living alone during quarantine, but Dick was always able to find the positive, and retain a sense of humor. Dick loved life, and wanted more of it. We talked about future travels to New York City and oversees. From our discussions, Dick loved Star Lake and people there. He would reminisce about his days of swimming laps in the lake, working with the Fire Department, and local church. The one thing that Dick and I had in common was our love of Golden Retrievers and how we both loved the breed and how i had grown up with Golden's and my family used to breed them. I miss Dick very much, and our conversations. It was apparent in his strong belief in Jesus Christ, and that gave him great comfort. I hope to see Dick another day.
Phil Royce
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Jennifer Niggemeier posted a condolence
Saturday, February 13, 2021
I still have the hymnal Mr. Been gave choir members at graduation. Inside he wrote "12 years an honor choir member". When I think of growing up in Hicksvile, Mr. Been was a key part of my time there - both in church and 3 years in jr. high school chorus. Mr. Been made choir fun - he put up with our goofing around, pushed us to try different types of music (anyone remember 'the lone wild bird' song?). Some of those choir jokes still crack me up. And certainly much of the music has stayed with me. Those of us who spent time at Hicksville UMC during his years there were richly blessed by his dedication and love for music and faith. His legacy lives on through so many students and church members who came to love music through him.
My condolences to his family and friends.
Jennifer Niggemeier
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Debbie Crispell Lutz uploaded photo(s)
Friday, February 12, 2021
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My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you mourn the loss of Dick and even as you celebrate the unique qualities that made him so special. When I think of Dick, a flood of memories comes to my mind, and I am filled with gratitude. I grew up in the Hicksville United Methodist Church during the period of time that Dick served as Organist and Choirmaster. I joined choir as a very young child and continued in the choirs through high school. In my early teen years, Dick became my mentor and organ teacher. My skills grew quickly under his careful tutelage. In exchange for my organ lessons, we had an agreement that I would play the organ and lead the choirs when he would be away. He never accepted any monetary payment for these invaluable lessons. This paved the way for my own journey into a 20+ year career in church music as organist and choir director. Later on, I had a career in public school choral and general music education for 20 years. Dick instilled in me the value of hard work, practice, and perseverance. He was a man deeply committed to Jesus Christ. He was a dog lover. I remember him talking to his dogs as though they were his beloved children. I recall the annual youth choir trip to the the beach, with Dick behind the wheel of the church van, on Father's Day of all days! I remember his reaction to the teens goofing off in choir practice. Yikes! He was serious about his music. I loved him for that! Dick lived his life to the fullest, even in retirement, and the way I see it, Jesus Christ always came first in his life. Dick taught me much about life and faith in Jesus Christ, and I am forever grateful for his influence in my life. With love and gratitude, Debbie Crispell Lutz
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Rick Meier uploaded photo(s)
Friday, February 12, 2021
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My condolences to you all.
I grew up in Hicksville and sang in the church choirs he ran from the time I was 5 until 18 years old.
Dick was a great choir director and incredible organist: 5 rows of keys for the hands and 1 row of foot pedals,
playing during each church service and giving head nods to direct the choir at the same time.
He shared his passion for music with us, and singing harmony has been my hobby to this day, largely because of Dick Been.
My mother and sister sang in his choirs as well, and we all loved him.
Rick Meier
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Debbie Bursky-Alford planted a tree in memory of Richard Been
Thursday, February 11, 2021
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I am so very sorry for the loss of your brother. He was a very dear friend for over 50 years. He will be missed. Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree
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Craig Perrault lit a candle
Thursday, February 11, 2021
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We are so sorry for your loss.
Craig Perrault and family
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Karl and Jayne Wisner posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Our dear friend Mr. Been , We are so thankful for his friendship . He was a very genuine man , we miss him very much and know we will see him again .
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Donna Stevenson lit a candle
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
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I loved my visits with my Uncle Dick. As a child my uncle seemed larger than life! My trip to Star lake was an amazing experience. I love the lakes, the people and nature all around.
I love you Uncle Dick!
Donna Stevenson
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Fred Perrin posted a condolence
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Dick played a important role in our lives and our children. He was a gift to our family and to StJohns Ogdensburg. His gift of music and the gift of a wonderful piano that is used each week was a gift that is well remembered. We enjoyed the stories of his Father being the first Farm Bureau agent in Suffolk Co. I felt a special bond with Dick as we talked about my professional life with Farm Bureau.
His music will be remembered.
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Jean Stevenson uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
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My big brother
Dick was my older brother. He was very serious about looking out for me even when his little sister did not always want his help.
From an early age it was obvious Dick had been blessed with the gift of music. As a teenager he learned to play the pipe organ and played for several small churches while still in high school.
Though we hadn’t seen each other in many years, we had become very close the past two years as his health was declining. We would talk several times a day often sharing our thoughts about the state of our nation.
Dick loved living in Star Lake and his many friends there. I would like to thank everyone that helped him and made his life so happy.
This picture was taken late 1937.
His sister
Jean
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Paul Stevenson uploaded photo(s)
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
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My Uncle Dick has always held a special place in my heart, and I cherished every visit with him. To a southern boy like myself, Dick's voice and accent was very unique and endued a sense of joy, it was always a pleasure to listen to him tell his many stories. His voice stays with me now, narrating his tales as I think back over my visits with him. One of my favorite stories is that one of his students over the years at Hicksville High was William Martin Joel, better known to us as the infamous Billy Joel, who was... ahem.. a challenging student.
Beyond music, my Uncle Dick loved many things in life, from spending time on Star Lake both by boat and by cross-country skiing, to big snow, to spending time with his many furry companions. Dick so loved dogs, especially Golden Retrievers whose company he couldn't bear to be without.
I know my Uncle Dick also cherished the many people in his life who would look in on him and take care of his needs, especially in the later years. I'm grateful that so many wonderful people cared for my Uncle on a regular basis, especially when geography prevented me from being able to fulfill that role.
I had a wonderful visit my Uncle Dick on Star Lake in 1982 with my mom and my sister Nancy. Here's a few snapshots of our visit with him. The picture of Uncle Dick in a suit is from my brother's wedding in 1994.
Gone but never forgotten, my uncle lives on in my heart.
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Jane Phelps lit a candle
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
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Rest In Peace, Dick. I enjoyed meeting you this past year and hearing you tell the stories of your past trips and history! I will miss our visits.
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Nancy Stevenson lit a candle
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
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My favorite uncle. I love you.
Nancy Stevenson
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Melissa posted a condolence
Monday, February 8, 2021
RIP !!!! Say hello to all those Star Lake Fire and Rescue personnel that have gone before you !!!
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Deborah Norman lit a candle
Monday, February 8, 2021
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I enjoyed every conversation I had with Dick. He trained me to take over for him when he retired from the Star Lake Fire District.
I'll think of him fondly.
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Jimmy Jackson uploaded photo(s)
Monday, February 8, 2021
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Sooooo very sorry to see the passing of Mr. Been.
I got to know him quite well when I was postmaster at
Star Lake.
I would see him every day and if I didn’t I had to check on him to see that he was OK.
I would always greet him with “there’s the Mayor” which always got a smile from him.
I fondly remember our MANY chats of his trips abroad and life in general.
He probably never realized how much he meant to me seeing him every day.
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The family of Richard D. Been uploaded a photo
Monday, February 8, 2021
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