David Heard, a distinguished petroleum engineer who chronicled the UAE’s early growth for over 60 years, was posthumously awarded the Abu Dhabi Award on Wednesday. His spouse, historian and author Frauke Heard Bey, accepted the honor on his behalf at Qasr Al Hosn, presented by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Heard passed away on Friday, October 18, 2024, and was laid to rest in Wales, where he was born. He was 85 at the time of his passing.
Arriving in the region in 1963, four years before the Emirates united, Heard transitioned from his initial training in physics and geography to become a petroleum engineer. He dedicated extensive time to working in Abu Dhabi and the surrounding desert. Colleagues described him as calm, dependable, and deeply committed.
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In a conversation with Khaleej Times, Frauke shared that both she and her husband experienced the years leading to the UAE’s formation. She arrived in 1967, prior to the union. Reflecting on the UAE’s formation day in 1971, she recalled being in Yemen for academic research but vividly remembered the anticipation and parade rehearsals.
Frauke noted that she and David were historians by practice before becoming authors, meticulously recording changes and events around them. She highlighted that they might be the only couple to both receive the Abu Dhabi Award.
Under the auspices of UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Abu Dhabi Awards recognize individuals who have selflessly contributed to the UAE’s community. The Award encourages nominations of inspiring individuals, regardless of age, nationality, or profession.
After retiring from the industry, Heard devoted himself to research. He accessed rare early concession documents from foreign shareholders, including reports from Abu Dhabi to London dating back to the 1930s. Over two decades, he organized and analyzed thousands of pages, compiling a multi-volume history that serves as a key resource for students and scholars. The last volume was published a month before his death, with Heard still refining the index in his final weeks.
At the ceremony, a tribute video featured Frauke stating that they spent countless hours on the archive. “The work was hard and the hours were long, but it was a good life,” she said. She added that David intended to keep writing as long as possible.
This year’s event, coinciding with the UAE’s Year of Community, also marks 20 years since the award’s inception in 2005. To date, 100 recipients from 18 nationalities, including doctors, volunteers, athletes, and educators, have been recognized.
Zaki Anwar Nusseibeh, Cultural Advisor to the President, remarked in the ceremony video that Heard “was always eager to preserve the heritage of this country and the history of the region.”
Brad Bauer, associate academic librarian for archives at NYU Abu Dhabi, highlighted Heard’s collection as one of the UAE’s most significant archival donations. “He was likely the first to access certain British petroleum archives. His gathered materials are now invaluable to students and researchers,” he said. The collection, consisting of about 200 volumes and 140 boxes of documents, is still being processed for public access.
Frauke, who also received the Abu Dhabi Award for her work on the UAE’s political development, expressed that the honor holds deep significance. “It’s wonderful to see the community’s appreciation for our efforts,” she said. “We were fortunate to witness these changes and help others understand them.”
