August 25, 1940 – July 17, 2018
Herman was born in Houma, Louisiana on Aug. 25, 1940. He nearly died from pneumonia his first year of life. That kind of set his course in life as a fighter.
He was raised in Franklin, graduating from Franklin Colored High as the Valedictorian. He received scholarships for football and academics from several black colleges and universities in Louisiana and Texas. During segregation, white schools were not an option. Herman took the academic route graduating from Southern University with a degree in mathematics.
Despite his new degree, finding work after returning home was difficult. When the sugarcane season started, he worked on the Katie Plantation for 60 cents an hour. After a month in the sugarcane fields he obtained a job in the Sterling Refinery making $1.25 an hour, twelve hours a day, 7 days a week.
When the sugarcane season was over, he hitchhiked to Los Angeles, CA. with his best friend Tommy Bourgeois. They had one contact in Los Angeles and very little money. As Herman put it, his real adult life began in that city.
They both scrambled for work of any kind. Herman did janitorial work and chauffeuring for a small motel, near the LA Airport.
In Sept. 1963, he was drafted into the US Army making $70.00 a month. He was shipped to Fort Meade, Maryland, 35 miles outside of Washington D.C. He worked as a clerk typist in the Army and attended George Washington University at night.
After his discharge from the Army in Sept. 1965, he continued his Master’s Degree studies in Personnel and Business Admin. He was always looking for work during the day, but government jobs weren’t very accessible for blacks at that time.
He finished his degree in April 1966. After sending out many applications for work, he was hired at McDonnell Aircraft Corp. in St. Louis, Missouri. There he worked as a Scientific Computer Programmer for 4 months.
The Boeing Co. offered him a job in Seattle, WA. in July, 1966. He worked with Boeing for 5 years as Jr. Engineer and Computer Programmer. When he arrived in Seattle he lived at the YMCA for 15 months. He did so because he refused to be confined to Central Area housing which he was informed was the place where black folk were allowed to rent.
Herman was laid off from Boeing the latter part of 1970. During his time at Boeing, he worked two part-time jobs and took graduate courses in Aerospace Management Operations.
After his layoff from Boeing, he applied to the Graduate School of Public Affairs at the U. of W. He used his GI Bill to pay for tuition and books.
Five months before enrolling in grad school, Herman found a decent job working as Deputy Director of a College Work Study Program (New Careers). He worked full time while getting his third degree. He became the director of the New Careers Program and fought very hard to keep it funded.
Herman left New Careers in 1974 and worked for King County as Assistant Superintendent of Elections. After one year in that job, due to downsizing, he was again laid off. He was enrolled in Law School at the University of Puget Sound at night while working for the County.
After learning how to use the law library, he became a dangerous man (smile), never letting anyone slight him or his friends.
Herman met his wife, Kathleen Robel, in 1972, which began a saga of 45 years. They officially married on Jan. 6, 1989. Herman had the right politics, the even temperament and the kindness and generosity that made them the perfect match. His sense of humor and bright smile didn’t hurt. Their families and friends meshed perfectly.
Herman’s longest stretch in his working career began with the Federal Government in the Dept. of Education. He worked as a compliance officer for disability accommodations in the schools. Then he moved on to the FAA where he recruited young students from black colleges for air traffic controller training. He retired from the Dept. of Transit overseeing civil rights compliance for transit contracts in several states. Herman was always proud that he had visited every state in the U.S.A. He loved to travel. He traveled to Europe, Egypt, Israel and South Africa. He was a voracious reader becoming an expert on Biblical and African history and taxes (smile).
Herman loved his friends and family and was always stepping up to help out. He left a big footprint on this earth. It was a life well lived.
Celebration of life will be held at the Edmonds Yacht Club, Fri, Sept 7th at 1:00
Kathy, So sorry to hear of Herman's passing. We regret we cannot attend the memorial service. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Love & hugs, Ruth Ann and Bob Ruth Ann Glover