Robert Eugene Herning was born in Seymour, Wisconsin on December 24, 1935 to Ralph Herning and Charlotte Temple Herning. He was raised in Seymour, Appleton and Menasha-Fox River areas of Wisconsin and graduated from Menasha High School with the Class of 1955. He joined the U.S. Navy in January of 1956. Robert served the first 12 years of his military career as a construction electrician in the “SeaBees” attaining the grade of Chief Electrician. He met and married his wife of 58 years, Emma Sue Goad (‘Sue’), in Millington, TN at a USO dance in 1960.
Robert was promoted 15 times through enlisted, warrant officer and commissioned officer grades. He was awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal w/Star, Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation (3), Navy Unit Commendation (2), Good Conduct Award (3), National Defense Service Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal. He retired with the rank of full Commander in 1989 ending a very successful 33 year military career.
He was an avid gardener with an amazing ‘Green Thumb’. He and his wife, Sue, were talented and graceful dancers enjoying ballroom dancing, square dancing and line dancing. He also enjoyed woodcarving, building furniture, bicycling and bowling. He always said ‘You can never have too many hobbies.”
Cmdr. Herning leaves behind his loving wife, Sue, his two daughters, Cyndi Lamont and Sandra Dorothy, four grandchildren, Benjamin Dorothy, Christine Lamont, Andrew Dorothy and Audrey Lamont. He is also survived by his sister Jeanette Schmidt and his brother John Herning. We will miss him very much.
His family will host a gathering to remember Cmdr. Herning and to celebrate a well lived life on December 19, 2018 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at the Memphis Funeral Home 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119.
