Obituary of Kenneth Charles Herman

 

 

 

Kenneth Charles Herman

Papa Ken, Fishing God, Loving Husband, Honey, Amazing Dad, Master Care Giver, Grandpa, Uncle Kenny, ‘Bro’ Brother, Dude, Friend

1944 - 2020

 

The world as we know it was changed for the better when Kenneth Charles Herman was born on March 5, 1944 in Beulah, North Dakota.

He was the youngest in a large family of 12 Herman’s born to Phillip J. Herman and Blanche Helen Weil, Herman that included 7 brothers: Lewis, Calvin, Wilford, Albin, Philip Jr., Roy and Duane and 3 sisters: Agnes, Edna and Deloris.

Through humble beginnings and the examples set by his mother, he credited his family values, loyalty, work ethic and resilience to her for instilling in his family that keeping the family together – no matter what – was the strength to work through the hard times, and to always thank God for the good times. His life was a shining example of this, and he led a life devoted to fiercely loving, protecting, guiding and caring for all things family and he absolutely loved life -- which inevitably touched the lives of everyone.

He married his childhood sweetheart Beverly Ann over 55 years ago shortly after their “eyes met for the first time” at the Bodega in Deadwood in 1962. They married in 1964 and soon began to build a family with moves in South and North Dakota, Missoula Montana, and settling in Portland Oregon in 1969. Together they shared life with 3 daughters (which he proudly called “the foxes”), Carmen, Michelle and Kendra that further deepened his love for family and added grandpa to the list.

He enjoyed researching and exploring, spending time with relatives and friends, playing cards, discovering different ways to cook salmon, fixing and creating things, and artfully making his spicy broccoli, celery and cheese omelets along with perfectly sliced apples topped with cinnamon which he proudly enjoyed every single morning.   

Second only to his love and passion for family was fishing. HE ABSOLUTELY LOVED FISHING. He was an avid fisherman his entire life and discovered this at a very young age. He mastered the art of fishing and one of his greatest joys was teaching others to fish – especially sharing secrets and tips with the family to carry on (like cleaning and fileting all the fish to his sons-in-law). One of his all-time favorite places to fish is in Tillamook Oregon for Fall Chinook on the Trask River along with crabbing in Netarts Bay -- which became an annual family tradition that he began over 50 years ago.

Over the years he became quite the legend and was known, loved and respected by everyone on the water as the Fishing God. While these special trips will never be the same without him, his footprints are everywhere. Countless memories, videos, pictures, favorite fishing poles, crab-fests, sand shrimping trips, cooking, baking, smoking and canning salmon, and remembering his smile, the sound of his  laughter, and him saying “let’s rip some lips!” will live on in our hearts forever.                                                                  

He is survived by his wife Bev, daughters Carmen, Michelle and Kendra, sons-in-law TJ, Mike and Ron, grand children Kenny, Kameron and Kelcy, brother Albin (Al) Herman and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends from around the world.

As a reflection of the amazing human being that he was, here is a quote he hand-wrote and pinned up:

“My riches consist not in the extent of my possessions, but in the fewness of my wants. A smile is over in a flash, but the memory of it lasts a lifetime.” By J. Brotherton.

And this is how he lived and loved life. He was always so proud, grateful and blessed – and he made sure we all knew it.   

While our hearts are unspeakably broken in his passing, let them be filled and inspired by his well of love, laughter, kindness, friendship, words of wisdom, the examples that he set, and the lifetime of memories that we will hold and cherish forever.

This world, and the many lives of those he touched, are richer and better because of him. He is, was, and will always be loved, adored, remembered – and greatly missed.

While a traditional memorial service isn’t possible due to COVID, a private family celebration of life will be planned. Please share condolences, favorite memories or pictures on the Tribute Wall.

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