Reinhold Herrmann

Reinhold "Gene" Herrmann, age 72, concluded his earthly journey on Monday, February 28 to a pain-free heaven after a lengthy battle with Agent Orange complications.

Visitation with the family will be held Thursday, March 3 from 5pm to 7pm at Memorial Oaks Chapel in Brenham. A memorial service will be held at Eben Ezer Lutheran Church of Berlin on Friday, March 4 at 10:30am with Pastor Ken Weiss officiating.

Gene was born in Brenham TX on May 27, 1949 at St. Francis Hospital to Reinhold Richard and Dellie Mae Haevischer Herrmann. He was baptized July 17, 1949 and confirmed May 1963 into the Lutheran faith both at St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Brenham. He graduated from Brenham High School in May 1967. He received his bachelor's degree from Park College through the GI Bill while proudly serving his country.

In September 1968, he joined the U.S. Airforce until May 1979. His military career included Vietnam, Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota, Guam, Thailand, and, most enjoyably, Wiesbaden and Ramstein AFB in Germany. Gene was an aircraft electrician on B-52 bombers, KC 135 tankers, and F4 & F17 fighter planes. Later serving in the Command Post attaining the rank of Staff Sargent and honorably discharged finishing his military career at Bergstrom AFB in Austin TX. He has been a lifetime member of the VFW Post #7104.

In his civilian life, he became a life insurance salesperson and financial planner for 25 years with Lutheran Mutual Insurance Company and Cuna Mutual. He enjoyed attending annually their Million Dollar Round Table and National Conventions, taking pleasure in the comradery with many friends in the industry. Upon retirement, to stay busy, he worked for Durham Transportation as a bus driver and dispatcher.

Community service was always a large portion of daily life. Gene served on the Board of Directors of the Brenham Chamber of Commerce from 1993-1997 and as Chairman of the Board in 1995. In support of his girls, Gene was a Cub Band Parent for 17 years, Girl Scout parent, and Dolphin Swim Team official. As a founding member of the Brenham Citizens on Patrol organization, he loved working out in the community to help local law enforcement. In later years, he was active in the Washington County Citizens on Patrol until his health wouldn't allow. Many people over the years were familiar with his love of music and extensive music collection ranging across decades and genres. Football, soccer, and ice hockey were three sports he thoroughly loved watching both in person and on television. The love of ice hockey spurred from being a partial franchise owner of the Lake Charles Ice Pirates in 1997. Later on, his loves were traveling and making memories with his granddaughters. He tried as often as he could to attend their sporting and band events.

March 29, 1969 began the 53 years of marriage to his loving wife, friend, and mother of his daughters, Darlene "Dottie" Mertz Herrmann at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Greenvine TX. He is known as "Dad" to Cristi with her husband Billy Nelson of Alvin and Ashlea Herrmann of Brenham. He is known as "Popo" to 3 beautiful granddaughters Leah, Raney, and Brooklyn Nelson. His most recent companion has been his fur buddies Archie and Peanut, their cats. Family includes his sisters Debra Mertz and partner Mary Steele of Holland MI, Arin Herzog and husband Harvey of Brenham, mother-in-law Vernell Schilling Mertz, and brother-in-law Dale Mertz and wife Penny of Kenney. Gene was blessed with many cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and friends.

Preceding him in death are his parents; grandparents, Fritz & Wela Haevischer and Amelia & Henry Herrmann; father-in-law Willie E. Mertz, and sister-in-law Carol Mertz Leitzel.

Pallbearers are as follows: Tim Herrmann, Jimmy Maurer, Rodney Williams, David Herzog, Jared Campbell, Doss Pruitt, and Larry Neveux. Honorary pallbearers are Don Weiss, Jay Petrash, Chris Quinlan, Nick Bohmann, and Sheriff Otto Hanak.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to:

Washington County Citizens on Patrol, 8290 Chappell Hills Drive, Chappell Hill TX 77426

VFW Post #7104 of Brenham, P.O. Box 967, Brenham TX 77834

Eben Ezer Lutheran Church of Berlin, 356 South Berlin Road, Brenham TX 77833

The Herrmann family thanks family and friends for their many years of prayers and support. Thank you to Baylor Scott & White ICU for their excellent care in his last days. Services are under the direction of Memorial Oaks Chapel. 1306 W. Main Street. Brenham, TX 77833.