He was preceded in death by his wife Cecilia, his parents Jose and Leonarda, sisters Celia and Ann, and brothers Pete and Martin. He leaves behind daughters Suzanne Light (Jonathan) of Eugene, Oregon, Abbe Kling (Doug) of Fort Collins, Wendy Bulow (Joe) of Colorado Springs, his son Brian Abeyta (Lisa) of Columbus, Georgia, grandchildren Gavin and Bria Light, Jacob and Victoria Abeyta, Skyler and Brodey Kling, Adam and Luke Bulow, and brothers Carlos, Anthony, Floyd, and Arthur. He also leaves behind his dear companion, Beverly Gonzales, who was at his side for the last several years of his life.
Herman was born on July 4, 1936 on a small farm in Sarcillo, Colorado where he grew up running through the mountains with his beloved brothers. He thrived in life and was an all around athlete and student at Primero High School. After high school he first went to Trinidad Junior College and then transferred to Adams State College where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. He returned to Primero and began a career as a high school teacher. Two years later he moved to Denver and began work with the Colorado Department of Corrections as a parole officer. At the age of 25 he received notice that he had been drafted into the US Army as the Vietnam War was just beginning. Although his experience as a teacher and a parole officer qualified him for a deferment, he chose to do his duty and entered the army. He became a communications technician and spent 2 years in the Philippines. He had an opportunity to enter Officers Candidate School, but decided to return to Colorado. Back in Denver he continued his job as a parole officer embarking on a long and distinguished career with the Colorado Department of Corrections retiring as the Director of Community Services. In Denver he met his beautiful wife Cecilia with whom he remained a devoted husband for 37 years until her death. Soon after their marriage Herman and Cecilia moved their young family to Buena Vista where they remained until 1983. His job then took them to Colorado Springs where he resided for 35 years.
Herman loved to travel with Cecilia, play the guitar, enjoy the outdoors, regale his family with stories, attend Sunday Mass, watch the Denver Broncos, Colorado Rockies, and Air Force Falcons, and laugh heartily with his family. He was a man people wanted to be around because his genuine faith, joy, and optimism was contagious. His family and friends celebrate the blessing and inspiration he was in their lives.
Memorial Gathering from 4-8pm with a Vigil starting at 6pm to be held at Swan-Law Funeral, 501 N. Cascade Ave. Monday, July 9, 2018. Mass of the Christian Burial will be at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 3122 Poinsetta Dr., on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 10:30 am with Burial to follow at Fairview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in his honor to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN. 38105 or Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, KS 66675.
