Hermann was a graduate of St. Louis Country Day and Princeton University, where he performed in the Princeton Triangle and was on the Crew Team. He then joined the United States Navy and was commissioned as an ensign and served in the Pacific Theater as a flight deck officer on the aircraft carrier USS Savo Island. Hermann held the rank of lieutenant during the crucial final years of the war and was honored with a Presidential Unit Citation among other battle stars, as part of ''the greatest generation.''
In 1967, Hermann brought professional soccer to the United States, creating and chairing the National Professional Soccer League, and bringing The Stars soccer team to St. Louis. The Hermann Trophy is awarded annually in his honor to the most valuable college soccer player in the U.S. It is soccer's oldest and most prestigious award, equivalent to the Heisman trophy. St. Louis University's Soccer stadium was named for him in 1999, he was inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame in New York in 2001, and into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012.
In 1981, Hermann founded the VP Fair, now known as Fair St. Louis. Known by many as ''America's Biggest Birthday Party,'' the event serves to unite the region and promote the City of St. Louis to the world. Over the years, the Fair has seen entertainers such as Elton John and Bob Hope. 2020 will mark the 40th anniversary of the Fair.
Hermann was named the St. Louis ''Citizen of the Year,'' honored as ''Man of the Year'' by the St. Louis Variety Club, and received the ''St. Louis Award,'' for his numerous contributions to the St. Louis community. He envisioned the International Center for Tropical Ecology as a partnership between the University of Missouri, St. Louis, and the Missouri Botanical Garden.
He loved business as President of Hermann Companies and its affiliates. As a volunteer, he enjoyed being involved as a leader, innovator, and on the board of many civic and cultural institutions in his beloved city of St. Louis. Chairman of the St. Louis Zoo, Chairman of The Muny, BJC Health, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Symphony, and the Arts and Education Council among others.
Bob and Mary Lee loved Harbor Springs, Michigan, boating, bike trips with friends, duck hunting, playing piano, and countless other adventures.
In addition to his pride in his beautiful family, he may best be remembered by his friends as the consummate host and life of every party with his infectious laughter and a never-ending supply of good stories.
Hermann was a graduate of St. Louis Country Day and Princeton University, where he performed in the Princeton Triangle and was on the Crew Team. He then joined the United States Navy and was commissioned as an ensign and served in the Pacific Theater as a flight deck officer on the aircraft carrier USS Savo Island. Hermann held the rank of lieutenant during the crucial final years of the war and was honored with a Presidential Unit Citation among other battle stars, as part of ''the greatest generation.''
In 1967, Hermann brought professional soccer to the United States, creating and chairing the National Professional Soccer League, and bringing The Stars soccer team to St. Louis. The Hermann Trophy is awarded annually in his honor to the most valuable college soccer player in the U.S. It is soccer's oldest and most prestigious award, equivalent to the Heisman trophy. St. Louis University's Soccer stadium was named for him in 1999, he was inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame in New York in 2001, and into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012.
In 1981, Hermann founded the VP Fair, now known as Fair St. Louis. Known by many as ''America's Biggest Birthday Party,'' the event serves to unite the region and promote the City of St. Louis to the world. Over the years, the Fair has seen entertainers such as Elton John and Bob Hope. 2020 will mark the 40th anniversary of the Fair.
Hermann was named the St. Louis ''Citizen of the Year,'' honored as ''Man of the Year'' by the St. Louis Variety Club, and received the ''St. Louis Award,'' for his numerous contributions to the St. Louis community. He envisioned the International Center for Tropical Ecology as a partnership between the University of Missouri, St. Louis, and the Missouri Botanical Garden.
He loved business as President of Hermann Companies and its affiliates. As a volunteer, he enjoyed being involved as a leader, innovator, and on the board of many civic and cultural institutions in his beloved city of St. Louis. Chairman of the St. Louis Zoo, Chairman of The Muny, BJC Health, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis Symphony, and the Arts and Education Council among others.
Bob and Mary Lee loved Harbor Springs, Michigan, boating, bike trips with friends, duck hunting, playing piano, and countless other adventures.
In addition to his pride in his beautiful family, he may best be remembered by his friends as the consummate host and life of every party with his infectious laughter and a never-ending supply of good stories.
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