Bernard Heydorn

through correspondence at National Technical Schools, Los Angeles, California and obtained his Diploma as a Radio/Electronics Technician in 1959, more than half a century ago.
In 1957 he got his first job at Wm. Fogarty Ltd. in Georgetown in the Radio Department. In 1960, he went for further training in Electronics and Television at the Grundig Factory in West Germany. Many Guyanese owned Grundig radios and radiograms in those days, sold and serviced by Fogarty's.
From 1961 – 1969 he served as supervisor in the Radio/Radiogram Service Department at Wm. Fogarty Ltd. Folks can remember seeing Vyvyan there in his radio laboratory coat supervising and repairing radios, radiograms, record players, tape recorders and just about anything electronic that came into the shop.
From 1969 – 1972 he was Maintenance Engineer for Diamond Sugar Estate and Leonora Sugar Estate in Guyana. He was commissioned to install an Electronically Controlled Steam Boiler for the Diamond Estate's Facility for the start up of their distillery for the production of Gilbey's Gin and liquors.
In the early days in Guyana, Vyvyan could be seen riding around Georgetown and up to the Seawalll on his red, Jawa motorcycle. He installed an A.M. radio into the tool box of his motorcycle, working off the battery of the motorcycle. When he got off his bike at the Seawall, he caused a bit of a stir by turning on his bike radio, probably the first of its kind.
In the 1960's, he recorded two Guyanese string bands (combos) – The Telstars and The Young Ones. These early recordings are valuable and nostalgic collectors' items these days.
Vyvyan also made an electronic Speech Key for Morse Code for the British Army, some of whose troops were stationed in Guyana during the riots and disturbances there before Independence in 1966.
In 1966, Vyvyan built the first Teaching Language Laboratory in the Caribbean for the Reggie Blackman School in Georgetown, Guyana. In 1969, he built an Audio Console for the Carneige Public Free Library in Georgetown which allowed visitors to listen to their favourite record selections. This event was opened by the Mayor of Georgetown to great fanfare, for it marked the silver jubilee of the library which opened in 1909.
In Canada he worked in Warranty Service, installations and as an Electronic Show Engineer – Bowers & Wilkins Loudspeaker Factory. He also trained at Crown International Audio Systems Factory in Indiana, U.S.A. and was in charge of their warranty repairs in Canada.
He started his own electronic repair company (Geralyn Electronics) on Yonge Street in Richmond Hill in 1981 and remained there till 2010. He then relocated Geralyn Electronics to Newmarket, Ontario, where he is currently located. Over the years, Vyvyan has designed and built numerous Custom Electronic systems for his many clients and friends.
Married to Sharon (Headecker), they celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next year. They have three sons – Nicholaus, Wayne and Robert and three grandchildren – Nick, jnr, Miguel and Talia.
The de Rycks come from a historic family. Vyvyan's grandfather – William de Ryck owned the drinks factory in Georgetown that made the famous bottled soft drink with a marble in the bottle to help control the flow. These bottles are rare and valuable to bottle collectors.
In 1961, I joined the R.A.F. together with Vyvyan.s younger brother William and we went to England to train in Radio and Radar. William told me then that it was his brother Vyvyan who had inspired him to take up radio and electronics as a career.
Vyvyan's knowledge, skills, patience and professionalism have stood out over the years. He repaired many of my old, dusty, sometimes mouldy antique tube radios, record players and electronic equipment. I took an old wind up gramophone to him once when the spring was broken. In fixing that machine, there was grease flying all over his face and clothes which he patiently wiped off and continued.
He even took time off from his busy schedule to take my old radios home in the evenings and at weekends to work on them in his spare time! Not too long ago, he came to my home on the shores of Lake Erie and got my old 1951 Wurlitzer jukebox working again electronically. Whether the job was small or large, Vyvyan always rose to the occasion. His contribution to my Radio "Museum" has been significant.
Vyvyan seems to show little sign of slowing down. He has presently designed, built and installed his own Inverter System that generates Hydro Power in conjunction with the Solar Panels on the roof of his home in Newmarket.
From time to time, I celebrate the lives of others in my articles and books. Some who come to mind are Nesbit Chhangur, Guyana's singing cowboy; Lionel Belasco bandleader, record producer and one who made popular early calypso music from Trinidad; Lord Kitchener, calypsonian from Trinidad; Los Indios Tabjaras folk guitarists from Brazil; Bing Serrao and the Ramblers, musicians from Guyana; Emile Straker and the Merrymen, musicians from Barbados…
As long as I can dip my pen into my heart, as long as my brain and memory are working, as long as I have a voice like the Indo Caribbean World newspaper, I will continue to celebrate the lives and achievements of gifted and inspiring individuals and groups.
Not too long ago, I celebrated the life of Cecil Seymour, a Guyanese who lived into his 90's and had many tales to tell. He recently passed away. These are all folks with the common touch and extraordinary talents. I include Vyvyan de Ryck in the same category.
What little joy, education, or entertainment my musings and writings may bring to others, they also bring me happiness. Writing is its own reward. In the meanwhile, if the creeks don't rise and the sun still shines I'll be talking to you.

 

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