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In Memory Of Pete Herman
by Nancy Kinerson Dwyer
Pete will be sorely missed. At our recent reunions he touched us all with his warm spirit, his gentle humor, his easy leadership and his friendship for all. He was a man with a breadth and depth of talents. Having pursued a profession in radio broadcasting, he was at home behind a microphone, a natural master of ceremonies who never hesitated to serve as spokesperson for our class. From an early age he had an affinity for music and he played a mean clarinet, throughout school and during his service in the army. A swimmer in high school, he went on to discover a passion for scuba diving, a sport that gave him great joy. A man of deep faith, he was a beloved leader in his church. He moved through life with a confidence in his path and humbleness before his Lord. We are privileged to have counted him as friend and called him our own. May he rest in peace.
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March 29, 1945 ~ April 12, 2016 (age 71)
Peter H. Herman, 71, of Lewistown went home to be with the Lord Tuesday Feb. 12, 2016 at the Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, CA. Born March 29, 1945 in Bremerhaven, Germay, he was a son of the late Otto Herman and Mathilde (Volkmann) Herman, of Troy, N.Y. His wife Carolyn L. (Wilbert) Herman, whom he married Feb. 12, 1972, survives. Also surviving are: children, Kristin Peters and husband Jim of Reedsville, Tara Deibler of Lewistown, granddaughter, Kaitlyn Stern and husband Matthew of Washington, D.C. He started work with WMRF Radio in 1973, became the Station Manager in 2001, and later retired as Station Manager. He was a Veteran of U.S. Army. Pete was worship leader and an Elder at Kish Valley Grace Brethren Church, Reedsville. He was a graduate of Troy High School, the Syracuse University, and he earned his Master's Degree from the University of Michigan. A member of Stone Arch Players, he was an avid Penn State fan, and a scuba diver who loved the water. He loved music and was very active in the church. Pete was young at heart and passionate about life. There will be a memorial service 11:00 a.m., Thursday Apr. 21, 2016 at Kish Valley Grace Brethren Church, Reedsville, with Pastor Doug Sabin and Pastor Jim Everly officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions should be made to: Kish Valley Grace Brethren Church, 99 Taylor Drive, Reedsville, Pa. 17084.
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Marybeth Pye Brinker
Pete was just the kindest, most humble, and fun person. He was a high school classmate and friend. It was so very good to visit with him at our 50th. To all of you who love him, my very deepest sympathy. May God's love, comfort and peace surround you as you face these difficult times.
David W. (Dave) Dickinson
I’d like to express my condolences to the Herman family on the loss of a Son, a Husband and a Dad, and to all of us who have lost a good friend. I’d also like to add some of my remembrances of Pete. In September 1959, I was a scared little boy first coming to the large Troy High School from our little Wynantskill School. One of the first classmates I met was Peter Herman. With his winning smile and welcoming attitude, I knew almost immediately that we would be friends. His family and part of mine (my mother’s side) were German. In German class we sat near each other but of course Pete always did much better than I. The only person in my family that continued to speak some German was my Grandmother, and most of the words I picked up from her were when she was annoyed at one of us kids. That vocabulary did not help much in the conversational German class. When we found out that Pete and I were both born on March 29th, the friendship bond grew. We were teammates on the swimming team. I think we travelled all over New York State for matches. During the long trips with Coach Coolie, we became a real “band of brothers”. Our mascot was a Lion, and our theme song was “In the Jungle the Mighty Jungle”. We both played in the School Band. Some of my fondest memories are the few times on special Sundays, like Palm Sunday and Easter Sunrise Service, when several members of our band played at joint services for a group of the Eastside Churches. That was when we still had prayer in schools and it was not uncommon for High School Students to worship together. I know that Pete is in Heaven with our Lord’s arm around his shoulder saying “well done good and faithful servant”. What a glorious day it will be when we all meet again.
Dave Dickinson
Betsy Mitchell Savery
This memory of Pete Herman is from Bill Maynard:
Betsy Mitchell Savery
Leo Derkowski wrote this tribute to his best friend, Pete Herman:
When I got a phone call last night from my high school classmate and friend, Betsy Savery, I at first thought, as the consummate organizer that she is, she wanted me to volunteer for something … or it was bad news. Sorrowfully it was the latter. Betsy informed me that my best friend from childhood, Pete Herman, had been called home to heaven. Needless to say, it was shocking and very, very sad news.
I first met Pete in the fourth grade at Public School 16 in Troy, New York, but we did not really become close friends until high school. I think we got along well together because we shared a bizarre and unique sense of humor, eagerly anticipating the next issue of Mad Magazine, which we discussed endlessly after its arrival. I remember the joy of writing what we hoped were very funny “commercials” for the prom that were broadcast over the PA system under the stern eye of the principal, Mr. Enfanto, who once greeted us with, “Ah, my young thespians” to which Pete replied indignantly, “I take exception to that!” As we dissolved in laughter Mr. Enfanto just stared at him open mouthed. My favorite was the Chipmunks parody. Pete, Roger Fulkerson and I sang into a tape recorder and then played it back at a faster speed.
To say that Pete was smart and talented, especially musically, is a woeful understatement. I was amazed at how easily even the most difficult school work came to him, but underlying that was a work ethic that to this day I envied. After school we would retreat to his house where we invented stupid games to play, encouraged by his father, Otto, who would gleefully join us. However, the time came for homework, and his Mom, “Tilly,” would make me sit down and work alongside Pete. If it weren’t for them I doubt that I would have made it through school with a B average. Of course, it was Mrs. And Mrs. Herman to me.
We stayed close through college and the Army, but afterwards drifted apart and I soon lost contact with him. Then, it must have been around 1992, Betsy got us back together again and we worked on planning our first ever high school reunion (after 39 years!). It seemed as if the intervening decades never existed and we picked up our friendship right where it left off. Since then we stayed in touch and visited each other when we could. Whenever I had a bad day I knew a dose of Pete Herman would cheer me up and I gave him a call.
One of the things we discovered is that we shared was a strong Christian faith. Pete was very involved in his church as I am with mine. That brought us even closer together. So even though I am profoundly sad, I know that my friend is waiting for me in heaven. How do I know this? Because we both believe in Jesus Christ as our savior from sin. Because of his death and resurrection we know we will have everlasting life with the Lord. No matter how bad we have been, we know our sins are forgiven though our faith in Jesus.
On his last birthday I continued our tradition of reminding him that he is older than I am and he replied, “Maybe I’ll just stop and let you catch up.” I told him that the only way I would catch up with him will be in heaven and he said, “I will definitely see you there PTL (praise the lord).” I just didn’t know the Lord planned to do this so soon.
Marcia and I are praying constantly for Carolyn and Pete’s family. Be comforted in knowing that Pete is finally home where he belongs and we can confidently look forward to seeing him again when our time comes.
Pete was the best friend anyone could ever have. We loved each other like brothers and I am really going to miss him. When I am hurting, I read the Bible. And there I find peace for my troubled mind. When I think of Pete, I like the following the best:
John 14:1-4
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Pete knew the way.
Betsy Mitchell Savery
I am in absolute shock and grief over Pete's death. I have known him since the fourth grade when he and his parents arrived in this country from Germany. Pete spoke no English but learned very fast from his friends in school. I went to school with him from grade school through high school and we have kept in touch over the years. He is one of a kind and one of the most beloved members of our Troy High Class of 1963 alumni group. My deepest condolences to Carolyn and to his mother, who we designated years ago as our Troy High School Class Mom. Heaven has just gained an amazing angel in Pete. Finally he and his very best friend from his youth, Roger Fulkerson, are back together laughing and joking and enjoying one another.