He was born in Germany on February 5, 1941 watching Tarzan serials at the movies and playing in the ruins of bombed out homes and churches. He loved Mother Nature and sports, and never met a soccer game he didn't like. When he turned 14 years old, he began apprenticing to become a master baker, sleeping in the front window of a bakery that he could see his home from. He traveled to Italy, Switzerland and France learning the skills that he would put to good use, expanding his artistry and creativity.
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But more than anything else, he wanted to come and live in the country he grew up admiring. His dream came true when he arrived in NYC with his entire life in front of him, becoming a US citizen, starting a family and living the American dream. His legacy will live on in all who met him and had the pleasure of hearing the rich and engrossing stories that he was famous for telling (and animating), that could have only come from his unique experiences.
Herman cherished each of his friends and treated them as if they were family, because they were to him. He enjoyed spending time gardening, watching sports (especially soccer and hockey), having a drink with a good friend and telling stories. Herman is survived by his son, Sean Berndt and many loving friends. He was preceded in death by his baby daughter, Jean Claire, at 11 months old, in the mid 1970's; his first wife, Helga Berndt, at the age of 44 in 1988; and his loving companion and friend, Mindy Gray, in 2018.
We are certain that Herman and Mindy are now Together Forever.
Services will be held on March 15, 2021 at 2pm at Frederick's Funeral Home in Flushing, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Herman's favorite charity that was very near and dear to his heart, St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.
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