Michael Albert Hermesch

Mike was the oldest son of Albert and Eileen Hermesch and leaves behind his wife, Pat, son Chris Hermesch and daughter-in-law Barbara Poe, daughter Amanda Micek and son-in-law Joe Micek, and his granddaughter (who was born 3 days after he passed). Mike is also survived by his siblings Alan Hermesch, Rick Hermesch, Jule Hahn, Mary Sue Truhe, Joan Akin, as well as nieces, nephews and many extended family members.

Mike was born on September 10, 1944, at the home of his maternal grandparents, Florence and Henry Voet, in Oketo, Kansas. At the time of Mike’s birth, his father was serving in the Army during World War II. In 1958 the Hermesch family purchased a farm south of Seneca, Kansas. Mike left home to attend Maur Hill School in Atchison from 1958-1962. After two years at Saint Benedict’s College, Mike entered the novitiate at Saint Benedict Abbey in 1964. His discernment lead to the realization his vocational calling was as a lay person, not a priest. He continued his schooling at Saint Benedict’s and in 1966 graduated with a degree in Business and Latin. He planned to attend Saint Louis University for a Master’s in Literary Studies for which he received a full scholarship, but life had other plans and Mike was drafted into the army before he could start the program.

Mike served his two year tour of duty as a clerk at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs. Upon completion of his service, Mike stayed in the Denver area where he met and married Mary Kamen in October 1969. Their son, Chris, soon followed in 1970. Mike and Mary divorced in 1982. Eight years later Mike married Pat Casey. They were married 30 years, through the time of his death. Mike adopted Pat’s daughter, Amanda Casey, when she was 8 years old.

After an early career working various jobs from selling cars to working the nightshift at dangerous 7-Elevens, Mike eventually found his niche as an accomplished insurance salesman. He leveraged those skills for companies such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Equitable, Alexander and Alexander, and AON, from which he retired in 2006.

As he discerned during his time at the Abbey, Mike faithfully lived out his calling as a lay person in the Catholic Church. He did this by serving his local parish in a myriad of ways from participating in the liturgy, teaching Catechism classes, ensuring those who were sick could receive communion, visiting the homebound, and being a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Mike combined his love of the outdoors and his skills as a gifted mechanic into a passion for motorcycles. When he wasn’t tinkering with his bikes, he enjoyed riding around the country with family and friends. Mike enjoyed racing dirt bikes and was particularly skilled at racing in the mud. He also enjoyed competing in vintage motocross and trials with the American Historical Racing Motorcycle Association (AHRMA) and was nationally ranked in his class when he had time to compete. Mike also co-founded Kansas City’s Heart of America Motorcycle Enthusiasts (HOAME) group. Whether leading group rides or helping to organize the annual antique bike rally, Mike was proud of his involvement in HOAME.

He had a soft spot for animals, especially dogs and cats and Mike welcomed many furry friends into his life.

Mike was loved by his friends and family and he will be missed.

A poem loving memory of Mike Hermesch and to all those who are traveling the road of the unknown-

My Lord God,

I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me.

I cannot know for certain where it will end.

nor do I really know myself,

and the fact that I think I am following your will

does not mean that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you

does in fact please you.

And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.

I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road,

though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore will I trust you always though

I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear, for you are ever with me,

and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

Thomas Merton