Harold Jerome Herman

He was the fourth child born to Myron Solomon and Susan Herman (nee’ Fritchey) on April 29, 1929 in Smithfield Township, PA. Harold graduated with honors from Huntingdon High School in 1947, and then attended the University of Maryland where he obtained his BA and MA degrees. He was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in 1957 and taught there until joining the faculty at the University of Maryland teaching the Arthurian Legend, a course that he designed. Much of his published scholarship was in this field. Harold established the Chi Tau Chapter of Signa Tau Delta English Honor Society and introduced an internship program which provided supervised work experience for English majors in organizations such as law firms, state and federal government departments, and newspapers. In addition to academic work, he and his partner Harold F. Mays, Jr. operated Two Harolds Antiques in Old Town Alexandria, VA for 12 years. After retiring as Professor Emeritus from the University of Maryland in 1994, he compiled the Fritchey Family in America, 1856-2010, a two volume genealogy, now in the Huntingdon County Historical Society. He was an avid reader, gardener, stamp collector, and book collector.

Harold is survived by his partner of 50 years, Harold F. Mays, Jr., his sister Clara Bass of Buena Park, CA, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. A private Celebration of Harold’s Life and interment will be held at a later date. Family and Friends are invited to leave condolences at www.josephgawlers.com.