Born in Whanganui in 1927, Hickman grew up in rural Northland until his family moved to Auckland in 1941. After finishing his secondary education there, he completed a building apprenticeship and at the same time studied mathematics, physics and geology part-time.[1] He then moved to Dunedin, and studied at the University of Otago,[1] from where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1951.[2]
Hickman joined the New Zealand Meteorological Service, rising to become its director in 1977. He remained in that role until his retirement in 1988. He served as vice-president of Regional Association V of the World Meteorological Organization from 1982 to 1986, and president from 1986 to 1988.[1]
In the 1989 Queen's Birthday Honours, Hickman was appointed a Queen's Service Order for public services,[3] and the following year he was awarded an honorary DSc by Victoria University of Wellington.[4] He was also awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal, and in 1998 he was made an honorary member of the Meteorological Society of New Zealand.[1]
Hickman also served as the convenor of the climate committee of the Royal Society of New Zealand until 1994.[5]
He died in 2014.[6]