Eugene John Herman of Antigo passed at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, September 7, 2012, at the Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, Wisconsin. He is survived by his wife, Mary Scott (Howe); two daughters, Holly Jean Steger (Aaron) and Heidi Scott Kretz (David); five grandchildren, Eleanor Scott, Henry, and Myles Steger; Charles and Leo Kretz; and two brothers, Charles (Rosemarie) and Jeff (Linda).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Conrad and Agnes (Shimon) Herman, his brother Conrad, sister-in-law Karen, and niece Anna.
Born in Antigo on May 26, 1945, Gene attended Pelican Lake Elementary School and Elcho High School. He was an accomplished student and athlete, lettering in football, basketball, and baseball all four years. He was Homecoming King, Prom King, and the first Elcho Channel Seven Football All-Star. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he also played football for four years.
After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and Officer Candidate School in Ft. Benning, Georgia, where he married his college sweetheart, Mary, on September 28, 1968. Assigned to Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Ft. Knox, Kentucky, Gene was proud of his service.
Gene taught biology and life science at Crandon High School/Middle School. He assistant coached varsity football and led a newly formed wrestling team to a conference championship. His greatest joys were his daughters. He was a loving father, with just one rule, that the girls love each other. They remain loving sisters and best friends.
In 1990, Gene earned his Master's Degree in Guidance Counseling at UW-Stout and served as a counselor in Bowler and Rib Lake schools prior to accepting a middle school position with the Unified School District of Antigo, from which he retired in 2003. Gene was extremely proud that his daughters became educators and that one son-in-law became a football coach and the other served in the military.
A sports enthusiast, Gene was a familiar sight on Antigo tennis courts with his knee braces, sweat bands, and jerseys. As a boy he enjoyed basketball, flag football, and county league baseball with his brothers and later, played on the People's Bank baseball team in Antigo. Gene remained an avid Packer and Badger fan. In his retirement he traveled to Europe several times to visit daughter Heidi and family and traveled often to visit Holly and family near Madison. His five grandchildren were a source of unending joy to him.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. A kind man with a patriotic heart, Gene was committed to his country, family, and students.
Gene departed peacefully, blessed by family and friends who surrounded him with love in his final days. Because he touched so many lives, little pieces of Gene are in all of those whose lives he touched. His soul was light and willing to go to God.
"His soul sat up. It met me. Those kinds of souls always do - the best ones. The ones who rise up and say 'I know who you are and I am ready. Not that I want to go, of course, but I will come.' Those souls are always light because more of them have been put out. More of them have already found their way to other places." -Markus Zusak, The Book Thief
Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bradley Funeral Home and Wednesday from 11 to noon at St. John Catholic Church. The funeral mass is scheduled for noon at the church with Rev. Charles Hoffmann officiating. The interment will take place at Elmwood Cemetery with Antigo veterans conducting military rites.
In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial fund that will be used to honor veterans.
Services
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Antigo, WI 54409
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Antigo, Wisconsin 54409
Better late than never, but I just learned of my old coach's passing. Coach Herman was my first wrestling coach, as we started the program my Junior year of high school in Crandon, the Fall of 1971. Geno was an inspiration to me, and all of us those first two years, with boundless enthusiasm, drive, coaching, teaching, and caring. Though it's been 45 years, I can still hear his voice, driving us, encouraging us, working out with us with his sweats and knee braces, stomping his foot at the edge of the mat and yelling during meets. His demeanor was positive and infectious to us kids. He made me a better person. When I would see him the following years, he was the same genuine, caring person. I have faith that you're resting in peace, Coach. -Lanny Ison, CHS class of '73
I am sorry to learn of your family sorrow. The death of a loved one is painful. If I may, I'd like to share scripture found in your Bible that may comfort you in some way. John 6:40 reads...For this is the will of my Father, that everyone that beholds the Son and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life, and I will resurrect him in the last day.
Mary Scott and Family, I remember with fondness our younger days. I wish you peace and a rapid return to normalsy He was my kind of person when our paths crossed years ago. Think of the good times often. Jim Akins
Oh I am so sad for you and your family Scotty. I know Gene was the love of your life. I pray that he was not ill and suffering for long and for peace for all of you.
Coach Herman was always one of my favorite people in the world. His energy, enthusiasm and positive outlook on life was ever present and contagious. It was those traits and many more I learned from Coach and carry with me today. There is no doubt his contributions while he was at Crandon greatly enhanced the academics, athletics and community spirit. We won conference championships in many sports and Coach Herman, whether he was coaching a sport or not, always was in contact with athletes and making sure they felt good about themselves and were staying positive. Coach Herman was a great person and role model. A wise man once said, "Great people are never forgotten." So it is with Coach Herman.
Rest in peace my friend.
Kirby Schultz Crandon High School 1969-1973
Please accept my condolences over the loss of Gene. He and I played tennis regularly in the 1970s and, although it was always close, he beat me every time by sheer tenacity. He was 10 years my senior and offered many insights into the phase of life I was entering. I treasure those times.
Mr. Herman was an outstanding teacher and a great person. When my friends and I were teenagers growing up in Crandon, WI, Mr. Herman would open the gym on weekends so we could play basketball. He played with us and we had such great games. I can still see him dibbling and shooting that quick jumpshot he had. It makes me smile. As I grew older I appreciated more and more what he did for us. Instead of getting into mischief on the streets we burned energy and learned more about the game and about life. I regret that I didn't tell him in his lifetime that I believe he was a major contributor to our team's successes in high school basketball in Crandon. All those championships were not flukes. He was absolutely one of the biggest reasons we won and kept winning.
He was also instrumental in furthering my interest and degree work in science (biochemisty). Thank you Mr. Herman - Fair winds and following seas old friend.
Dear Scottie and Family,
Gary & I always felt Gene had it figured out there was exactly enough time for the important things in life. How wonderful it would be for everyone to adhere to his philosophy.
Sincere condolences,
WHERE HAS THE TIME WENT, GENE WAS A GOOD TEACHER AND A GOOD MAN , MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.
DEAN & EILEEN GOBERT CHS 77 & 78
Thank you, Mr. Herman, for the music that always played in your room, for making sure that your students got to go on class trips, and for making learning fun. Rest in peace.
Thank you Mr. Herman for being an inspiration. You taught me to love the world of discovery and learning. Karen Lemke CHS class of 1983 Currently Crandon High School teacher Karen Lehman
Mr. Hermam was my Science teacher at the Crandon High School an I remember he ALWAYS had a smile on his face when I entered the room he made Science fun an easy to learn :).He proved over an over that he loved his job an that us kids an our learning was important to him!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can NOT find many teachers like Mr. Herman anymore,, he will be missed an my thoughts an prayers go to his family an friends!!!!!
I think that one of the things that made Mr. Herman special as a teacher was that he was determined to reach his students and would go the extra mile to be sure he did. He wanted learning to be fun and wanted to be more to his students than simply their teacher - he wanted to share his own love of learning with them. He has touched many lives and through each of those lives many more. My thoughts and prayers to all of his family.
The love shared within the Herman family is remarkable and it is obvious Mr. Herman had an incredible amount to do with that. I pray that "love will hold you together" during this difficult time and through this love you will be honoring your father's legacy...and what a legacy he has created!
Mr. Herman was the best teacher. Always had fun in his class and he made learning fun. He will be greatly missed. My prayers are with the family.
Completely saddened to hear of Mr. Herman's passing. My thoughts and prayers are for his family at this time. I'll always remember his gift of making class fun - even taking tests! 'Bonus question, Vinny...'.
Our prayers are with you and your family. Thank you for years of education, Allen and Kim Keepers
Mr. Hermans class was always fast and fun. He had great catch phrases that helped students remember loads of knowledge. Top gun of the teaching profession. My condolences to his family. He will always be remembered.
I'm not sure he ever knew how many lives he touched. He was an exceptional teacher and all around wonderful person. We could sense his passion for teaching and it helped so many of us really retain what he taught. Years and years later, he is still remembered and loved by all of his students. It takes a special kind of person to sit inside so many memories as significantly as he does. Thank you Mr. Herman. You will be missed.
P. S. Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species.
R I P Mr. Herman, you will be sadly missed. You live in our hearts and minds of all those you encountered. I use the things you taught me most days. You didn't just teach Biology. You taught us life skills. 8 Steps to Problem Solving. This helps with many things not just scientific problems.
My favorite memory of Mr. Herman was his smile. And the love and respect he had for his student, I think everybody loved him. I still have pictures of him in my photo album. My sympathy goes out to his family and friends. Rest in peace Mr. Herman.
Mr. Herman was one of the best teachers I ever had because he made learning fun. He was so passionate about teaching and made an indelible imprint on those that had the pleasure being in his class. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this trying time.
R.I.P to one of the coolest Teachers to ever teach.
Mr. Herman was a real class act. He was one of the best teachers at Crandon or anywhere for that matter. I have many fond memories of times in his class. He will be sadly missed by many of his former students everywhere he taught.
i loved that teacher he eas the and the funniest teacher i ever had he will be missed alot from his old stundent
from kelly gerow mallen
Mr Herman was one of the best teacher at Crandon. And is remembered with great affection by all. Mr. Herman made learning fun and interesting. My prayers and God's blessings to his family and friends. I am sure that he will be missed by all.
My thoughts and prayers to his wife, daughters, family and friends! Mr. Herman was one of those teachers that made a difference in my life! He treated all of us equal and excepted each and everyone of us the way we were. I remember him in his cowboys boots walking the halls at Crandon! Mr Herman was just one of those teachers that made school fun and interesting! RIP Mr. Herman!
Gene was one who would always greet you with a smile. He's smiling on all of you now too. Treasure the fond memories of your husband, father, brother and friend.
Mr. Herman was one of the Best Teacher's at Crandon High School. He made the learning fun and interesting, which made you want to come to class. I see his smile has never changed in the past 35 plus years since I've seen him. Rest in peace. My sympathy to the entire family.
Mary Scott and family,
With my deepest sympathy and love to you and yours. God bless your family as you grieve the loss of one so special to many. Remember the good times and let God and family and friends bring you comfort and peace.
Sincerely your old Antigo neighbor, Valerie (Carlson) Raisch
He will forever be one of my favorite teachers and missed by all who knew him as an educator and mentor. What a wonderful example he set, it was an honor to have known him going through high school, wouldn't have missed his class for the world!
Mary Scott and family,
My deepest sympathy on the loss of your husband, dad and granddad. Cherish those memories that will hold you all together, and know that he touched so many lives in such a positive way. Blessings to you all.
Rest in peace Mr. Herman. Will never forget Biology and Science at Crandon High School. Prayers to your family.
My friend, so many good memories. There's a hole in my soul. May you're next journey be a great one!
Happy trails to you until we meet again.
Your buddy Rudy
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