Thomas "Tom" Herman

Thomas Joseph Herman was born June 18, 1941 in Burlington, Iowa to parents Stanley R & Helen E Herman. Tom is survived by his wife of 42 1/2 yrs, Suzanne (Sue), son Derek Herman of Denver and daughter Cari Graham (Don) of Castle Rock, CO, grandson Austin Marsh, granddaughter Bailey Graham and step-granddaughters Katie & India Graham. Tom is also survived by his brother Gerald Herman of Burlington, IA and sisters Joyce Brockway of Burlington, IA and Rita Lewis of Illinois, 2 nephews and 4 nieces plus multi-great nieces and great nephews.

Tom was in the U.S. Army for 2 years during the 60's and was stationed in Hawaii (he missed going to Vietnam by 4 hours). He was proud of the work he did with troop strength.

Graduating from the University of Iowa with degrees in Business Administration and Marketing, he started his career with Coast to Coast hardware Stores in the district manager program. His first territory in S. Dakota and then Iowa, where he met and married Sue in 1969. He transferred into the Minneapolis office shortly before the wedding and worked in the advertising department, later being promoted to assistant electronics buyer. In 1971 his son Derek was born to the delight of his parents. Tom, who had been a long time smoker now quit to "see my boy grow up". After a job change and move in 1974 they landed in Omaha, NE for a couple of years. Another job change brought them back to Minneapolis in 1975 in time for daughter Cari to be born.

Tom always had an adventurous side. One weekend he decided to go back to Iowa to talk with a hardware store owner. The next thing they knew the Herman family was living in Wapello, IA and helping to run a hardware store. After 9 months Tom opened a Zenith dealership in West Burlington, IA. For the next 15 years they lived and worked in West Burlington. During this time Tom started a DJ business in addition to the TV store. Almost every weekend he and Sue would do at least 1 or 2 weddings, class reunions or a party. It did keep the bills paid and some groceries for the college boy. Tom became very well known in the entire S.E. Iowa area as the best DJ and the one who had the Chicken Dance! During this time period Tom and Derek became involved in canoeing. He helped organize and run the 180 mile MADRAC canoe trip down the Mississippi for several years. Both Tom and Derek went to Taipei, Taiwan to race in the International Dragon Boat Festival for team USA, and eventually helped bring dragon boat racing to the Midwest. Tom, Derek and Cari raced in many dragon boat competitions throughout Iowa and helped organize races in Burlington and Denver.

When Cari graduated from high school and Derek from college, Sue packed up everyone and moved to Colorado. Tom had been in the newspaper business in Castle Rock, first as co-owner of the Castle Rock Chronicle and then owner of High Plains Rider. When Tom's health issues became more intense, he sold the paper but continued to write his "Fondis" adventures.

For anyone that knew Tom they will always say he had always had a joke to tell and a smile for all. Known for his generosity and love for youth and special needs kids, he spent many hours helping with fund raisers, dances etc.

Tom will be loved by many and missed by all.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, Nov. 18 followed by a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Sat., Nov. 19, all at St. Francis Assisi Catholic Church, 2746 5th St., Castle Rock.

In ieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Francis Assisi Youth Group or the Thomas Herman Memorial Fund c/o 1stBank, 2 Plum Creek Pkwy, Castle Rock, CO, 80104 for Tom's grandchildren's college education.

Arrangements under the direction of Olinger Andrews Caldwell Gibson Chapel, Castle Rock, CO.