Donald Dee Herrman

Donald Dee Herrman passed away at the age of 95 on December 9, 2022 at Magnolia Manor Nursing Care in Saint Simons Island, Georgia. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia. He is survived by his two sons, Matt (Susan) Herrman and Peter (Cathy) Herrman; and two grandchildren, Conrad and Claire.

Don was born in Eureka, Kansas, on August 29, 1927, to William DeRoy Herrman and Blanche Florene Beevers (Herrman). He grew up surrounded by aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins, along with his older siblings, brothers Lyndon and Rex, and his sister Maxine.

After a cross country 1945 summer hitchhiking road trip with two buddies, he came home and joined the Navy in WWII, just days after his 18th birthday. He served 11 ½ months and was honorably discharged. Following the war, he received a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Kansas. His GI Bill paid for the 1st three semesters, and after that he worked numerous jobs, including digging foundations, sewer and ditches (before people had backhoes), busting rocks at the rock quarry, a “Gandy Dancer” on the Union Pacific, a riveter on airplanes, doing “high” work as a carpenter between two 10-story high towers, and “trucking” flour (pushing carts with two 300lb sacks from the mill to the RR Box cars). He said, “The one job I applied for at the University is the only one I was glad I did not get. Things were bad on the job front and the only thing available was as a nude model for the art classes. I signed up but, thankfully, no one called.” While attending law school in 1951 he was drafted into the Army and served 2 years during the Korean War as a Chief of Survey, behind the front lines, but ahead of everyone else. He returned home and later completed a Master of Public Administration.

Don met Virginia Kornemann in Eureka thru a mutual friend. While they were courting, Don visited Virginia at her father’s farm and parked his brand new 1954 Custom Ford on the dirt driveway. After being inside a while he looked out and saw two goats standing on top of his new car. Virginia and her father were not concerned, as goats have padded feet, so no damage was sustained to the car or Don’s heart, which was in severe distress! Passing this test of their relationship, they married in 1954. They were married for 66 years when Virginia passed in 2020.

Don worked most of his career as a City Manager in Illinois, Washington, Minnesota, Florida, Pennsylvania and Georgia. Don and Virginia moved to St Simons Island, Georgia about 1985, and Don worked as Glynn County Personnel Director until his retirement.

He spent much time before and during his retirement working in service of others. He was a Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer for abused and neglected children. For approximately 20 years Don and Virginia served thousands of meals to those in need at Manna House of Brunswick. Don was the President of Manna House from 1998-2013 when he reluctantly stepped down (after pressure from his family) following open heart surgery. He also worked with the Investment Committee for United Way of Coastal Georgia for 27 years. Don and Virginia were active parishioners at St James Lutheran.

We wish to extend thanks to Hospice of the Golden Isles and especially all the loving and caring staff at Magnolia Manor Assisted Living and Nursing Care, who cared for Don and Virginia since 2017, and were there for us when we could not be.

A memorial service will be held at St James Lutheran, Brunswick, GA at 10am on January 7th, 2023.