Richard Heer Oman

1926 - 2017

Oman Richard Heer Oman, born January 4, 1926 died peacefully, surrounded by his family on June 28,, 2017. Dick, a life-long resident of Columbus, Ohio, was the son of Marguerite Heer Andrews, and is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 53 years, Jane Wert Oman; daughter, Sarah and her husband Steve Horne; son, David and his wife Amy; his grandchildren, Alexander and Annabelle; brother-in-law, John Howard Wert; as well as other family members widely spread - throughout the Midwest, Pennsylvania, and as far as Asia. A graduate of The Ohio State University School, The Ohio State University and OSU Law School. He was a retired partner of the Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease law firm, a member of the Columbus, the Ohio and the American Bar Associations as well as a fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. He is listed in the Best Lawyers in America and in Who's Who in America. Beyond his family, Dick's life passions were philanthropy and a commitment to community, as evidenced by a life of service. Dick was as Secretary and later Director and Counsel to the Columbus Foundation from 1955-to-1977 and as legal advisor for many years following. He was the first recipient of its Harrison Sayre Award for Leadership and Philanthropy. In September 2015, the Columbus Foundation established the Richard H. Oman Fellowship in his honor. Dick served as Counsel to the Columbus Jewish Foundation, the Columbus Jewish Federation, the Foundation of the Catholic Diocese of Columbus, and the Wexner Center Foundation. He served as Secretary, Trustee and Counsel of the Reinberger Foundation of Cleveland for decades. He was formerly a Trustee of the Jeffrey Company. He was a past Senior Warden of Trinity Episcopal Church and a former trustee of Columbus Academy, Harding Hospital, Grant Hospital and Franklin University. Dick received an honorary doctorate in Community Leadership from Franklin University when he delivered the commencement address in 2005. In 2015, he received the Marjorie Lazarus Golden Batton Award from the Pro Musica Orchestra. He was a founder and member of the Advisory Board of the Community Foundation for Nantucket, a member of the Kit Kat Club, the Columbus Club, Rocky Fork Hunt and Country Club and the Nantucket Yacht Club. Dick was a summer resident of Nantucket, Massachusetts, where he found joy in the treasured days with family and friends. He was an avid surf-casting fisherman and loved Great Point. Family will receive friends from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, July 14, 2017 at SCHOEDINGER MIDTOWN CHAPEL, 229 E. State St. Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 15, 2017 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 125 E. Broad St. The Rev. Richard A. Burnett, officiating. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his honor to the Columbus Foundation. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.schoedinger.com.