George Hermann

George J. Hermann, Sr. died peacefully on October 4, 2015 in Houston, TX. George was born on January 23, 1934 in Philadelphia, PA to Sigmund and Jeanett Hermann. He had two sisters and numerous cousins.

From an early age George knew he wanted to be an engineer. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Engineering in 1955. While at Penn he was elected to Hexagon, the highest honor the University could bestow on senior men with proven leadership and scholastic ability.

George’s life-long love of rowing started while attending Penn. He earned a three year varsity award under the coaching of legendary Joe Burk. Later he competed for Vesper Boat Club representing the USA in the World Championships winning a silver medal in 1958 for Eight-Oared Shell. He earned gold in Eight-Oared Shell and silver for Four with Cox at the 1955 Pan American Games and won a Maccabian Games gold medal in 1961.

George served in the United States Marine Corp via ROTC and active duty for a total of six years, finishing as a 1st Lt. out of Camp LeJeune.

George married Helene Reilly and together they raised four children. During his early career as an engineer, George and his family moved approximately 19 times in 20 years in USA and overseas assignments working for the likes of Badger, Procon, Crawford & Russell, Alaska Interstate, Enstar, and Delta Engineering. He served as President and later Chairman of Board of Delta until his retirement.

George was very committed to his job and appreciated the opportunities his work provided. Travel with his wife, children and friends was a particular joy of his, whether it was on one of his regular hunting, fishing or skiing trips throughout much of the USA as well as to far parts of the world.

After losing his wife Helene to cancer in 1993, George married Andrea Niswander on June 26, 1996, and together they celebrated life. After retiring he enjoyed traveling, watching football, hunting, fishing in Alaska and spending time with his family in Houston and Stone Harbor, NJ. At home he always controlled the remote for the TV.

George was a man of few words but always a man of his word. He helped raise his four children with patience, integrity and humor. He was a loving husband, devoted father, loyal brother, dashing uncle, and true friend. He worked hard so that he could care for those around him. His kindness and generosity will be with us as a lasting memory of a good man.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Regina and Alice, and first wife Helene. He is survived by his loving wife Andrea, three daughters; Carol Ann (Philadelphia, PA), Elizabeth Jean and her husband Adam Ortega (Houston, TX), and Susan (Philadelphia, PA); and son George “Jay” Hermann, Jr. and wife Beth (Melbourne, FL); one step-daughter Kristen and her husband Bruce Low (Ruidoso, NM); two grandsons Nate Hermann and Ryan Seybolt and two nieces, Beth and husband Barry Sullivan (Roseville, MN) and Cathy Einhorn and husband Michael McLaughlin (Brooklyn, NY) and their families.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses of both The Methodist Hospital and Select Specialty Hospital for all of their care during the latter days of George’s life particularly Drs. Kenneth Scott Lloyd, Peter Nguyen, Nadim Nasir, and David Ho.

A memorial service celebrating George's life will be on Thursday, October 8, 2015 at 2:00pm in the Hunters Creek Chapel at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77024, with a reception to follow in the events room at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be made to the Penn Rowing Program, ’55 Crew Account ; Franklin Bldg, 3451 Walnut Street, Room 433, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6205, online https://giving.apps.upenn.edu/giving/jsp/fast.do or the Vesper Boat Club, #10 Boathouse Row, Kelly Drive, Philadelphia, PA 19130. Please note “In memory of George Hermann” on your donations.