Roger William Herrman

Roger William Herrman, 66, beloved father, husband and brother, died on Saturday, August 17th, close to his home and in the presence of caring family. He is survived by his wife, Gale, his two children, Liz and John, and his sister, Becki.

Roger was an unusually fine man. He was adored by his family, for whom he was a source of joy and strength, but also by countless others, from old friends to new acquaintances, all of whom were struck by his quiet generosity, his kind and unassuming intelligence, and his innate courteousness. He cherished his wife and was a role model to his children.

Born April 15th, 1947, to Lyndon and Lavone Herrman, who preceded him in death, in Shawnee County, Kansas, Roger spent his childhood in Topeka, where his father taught high school and his mother kept a happy home. A strong student and athlete, he received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, from which he graduated in 1969. During his period of active duty he was a naval aviator. Roger later retired as a Commander in the Navy Reserve.

In civilian life he found work in both engineering and air traffic control; he pursued and received a Juris Doctor from the Rutgers School of Law—Camden, and, despite never having practiced, maintained membership in the Pennsylvania Bar Association. The career with which he so generously supported his family began in 1976 at American Airlines, where he flew for over 30 years, retiring as an international 777 Captain.

It was this job that brought Roger and Gale together, and later to North Carolina, where they raised their children. Often traveling but never absent, Roger provided a powerful tailwind for his children. He shared his fascinations with them, and shared in theirs. An Eagle Scout, he led his son to become the same. An outdoorsman, he joined his daughter in a rigorous Search and Rescue program, hiking the state's wilderness in the service of others. Liz, 23, attended Campbell University and is working as a police officer in Apex. She is currently pursuing a master's degree. John, 26, attended Edinburgh University in Scotland, and is working as a writer and editor in New York.

To his young children, Roger, the handsome pilot in the sharp uniform, cut a heroic profile. But as they grew, his demeanor, so thoughtful and curious and obliging, reflected a deeper kind of heroism: a steady, utter selflessness which he embodied until the end.

Memorial services will be held at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Cary on Wednesday, August 21st, at 11am. There will be a visitation from 6pm to 8pm on Tuesday the 20th at Brown-Wynne funeral home at 200 Southeast Maynard Road in Cary. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to BSA Troop 200, PO Box 3571, Cary, NC 27519.