Herbert George Rammrath

HERBERT GEORGE RAMMRATH – husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend to many and loyal Villanovan passed away peacefully on August 12, 2025 on Marco Island, Florida. He was 90 plus 3 months.

Herb saw life as “a precious gift… to be lived fully and with as much enjoyment as possible.” He counseled those following him to do as he did: work hard, take advantage of good luck, and have plenty of fun along the way.

Born in Phillipsburg, New Jersey to German immigrants Joseph and Marie Rammrath, he was born on May 11, 1935 about 12 hours ahead of his twin sister, Margaret, with whom he shared a lifelong bond. He was a leader from the outset, star of “The Student Prince” and class valedictorian at St. Philip and St. James High School. Selected for an NROTC scholarship, he chose to attend Villanova University where he majored in chemistry. With an MBA from American University, he found his niche working on the business side of the chemical industry.

To fulfill his naval obligation after his VU graduation in 1957, he served in the U.S. Navy as a public information officer aboard the aircraft carrier USS Randolph. The highlight of his time at sea was when Herb invited Winston Churchill to visit the ship and he accepted (primarily because it involved a ride in a helicopter - something Mr. Churchill had never done before)!

For the balance of his naval career, he taught chemistry at the U.S. Naval Academy and married Barbara Tirrell, his college sweetheart and the mother of his two children. At USNA, he learned to sail and, coincidentally, picked up the sport of snow skiing – two lifelong passions.

He started at General Electric in 1966 as Lexan Market Development Specialist. Over a 30-year career with GE, he advanced to Global Sales Manager then Corporate Vice President under Jack Welch while also serving as President of GE Plastics in Asia.

While with GE, he lived in Pittsfield, MA; Spencertown, NY; Brasschaat, Belgium; Tokyo, Japan; and Singapore. In the Far East, he was responsible for opening GE’s plastics manufacturing plants in China, South Korea, Singapore, and elsewhere. For 2 years, he served on the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Board of Singapore.

Before retiring in 1995, he left Singapore aboard “Ballantine,” his Taswell 43, and sailed westward toward home accompanied by daughter Lynn. The two enjoyed an adventure of a lifetime, Lynn sailing as far as Italy and Herb all the way home to Newport, Rhode Island.

One of his greatest retirement pleasures was receipt of an Honorary Doctorate from Villanova University following establishment of the Herbert G. Rammrath Endowed Fund for Global Initiatives and International Scholarships in the Villanova School of Business (VSB). The initiative allowed him to share his international business acumen in regular visits to the school. The scholarship portion, he was proud to report, has supported the education of more than 200 scholars, including 36 international students from nine countries, plus students studying abroad in 25 countries.

In 2022, VSB further honored Herb with The Rev. Joseph C. Bartley, OSA Alumni Medallion for his distinguished career and demonstration of service to his community and to VSB. At VSB’s presentation ceremony Herb commented, “It’s quite nice to have your efforts appreciated with an award, but it is

much nicer to know that young people are learning more about the global economy because of the contributions you are making.”

Finding himself single in 2005, he met his soul mate, Pamela Gluckman. The two enjoyed the sea and slopes together for many years before buying a home in Naxos, Greece. They married in 2012 on the beach in Naples, FL, where they would eventually settle.

Herb is survived by his wife Pamela (and dog Yuki), son Stephen Rammrath and wife Renee; daughter Lynn Williams and husband Jim; four grandchildren: Danielle and Alexander Rammrath, Ceci and Greta Williams; four stepchildren: Simon (Emily) Gluckman, Nick (Kira) Gluckman, Jonathan (Chelsea) Gluckman, and Kate (Brad) Peck; and 10 step-grandchildren: Oliver and Stephen Peck, Bryce, Shaye Lily, Simon, Jack, Charlotte, Olivia, Sammy and Alice Gluckman. He is also survived by his twin sister Margaret Toomey and a younger sister Rita Mhley. He was predeceased by an older brother, Joseph P. Rammrath.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the caregivers at The Watermark at Marco Island and the Marco Island team of Avow Hospice for their exceptional care.

A celebration of Herb’s full and happy life will take place on Saturday, September 6, 2025 in Naples, Florida. Please click here for a live stream of the Memorial Service: https://www.youtube.com/live/7k_oWQaQOGo

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Avow Hospice (www.avowcares.org)