Roy George Herman

Service Details

Services celebrating Roy’s life will be held in Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at 2:00PM. Visitation will be in the funeral home on Sunday from 1:00PM until the time of service. Private inurnment will take place at Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Dover with full military honors.

Roy was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great great-grandfather. He passed away peacefully, leaving behind a rich legacy of love, resilience, and humor. Roy was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin to German immigrants, Arthur Herman and Anna Volk. As a boy, Roy excelled academically and graduated high school just weeks after his 17th birthday. His life was marked by remarkable achievements. After graduating from Marquette University, he entered the US Army at Fort Leonard Wood, where he played on the basketball team alongside future Hall of Famer KC Jones. He was eventually transferred, at his request, to Germany to serve as a translator, a post that allowed him to use his fluent German and visit his aunts, uncles and cousins in their ancestral village of Oberwittstadt. Upon his return, he married Mary Pat (Rogers) and raised six children – Mary, John, Thomas, Kathryn Anderson (Scott), Maureen, and Michael (Sandra).

His career then took the family to Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, and finally the north Chicago suburbs, ending up with a long stint in Libertyville, IL. Roy and his family, especially his parents, were very proud to see him earn an MBA from the University of Chicago in 1971. He built a successful career in management, including contributing to groundbreaking aerospace projects during his time at TRW. He was humbled and proud to be honored for his service during the Cold War by US Defense Secretary William Cohen.

Roy’s adventurous spirit and love of travel took him across the globe, but his heart was always with his family. Whether making trips with his wonderful wife of 27 years, Patricia, fishing with his kids in Minocqua, WI, or cheering for the Green Bay Packers, he created lasting memories for Patricia and his six children, ten grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandson, and many cousins in the US and Germany.

On the very day he passed, Roy celebrated a personal milestone by achieving 35 years of sobriety, a committed journey that inspired many. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Patricia, whose unwavering love and support brought him immense joy for so many years. Patricia was such a wonderful partner to Roy. Their shared sense of humor and kindness stand out to all of our family. Roy’s sharp wit, love of spicy food, and unwavering passion for the Packers will be fondly remembered by all who knew him. His life was a testament to hard work, dedication, and the enduring power of family. Roy, Dad, your legacy lives on in all of us. We love you.