Dietrich Sebastian Hefty was born July 28, 1904 in Renwick, Iowa, the second child of Heinrich Hefty and Regula Lydia Elmer. He attended rural schools and graduated from the Vernon Consolidated School in 1922. He was married to Rosamond Luella Gray on July 28, 1928 in Renwick, and together, they farmed for many years in rural Humboldt county. They were the parents of seven children. He was also engaged in painting and carpentry.

Dick served on the Hardy town council for five years and on the Humboldt County Triple A board for 12 years. He was a member of the Renwick United Methodist Church.

Dick passed away on January 25, 1972 at Hamilton County Public Hospital following a two month illness. He is buried at the Swiss Cemetery, rural Renwick, Iowa.