Advertisement

Robert Ringen “Bob” Hermann

Advertisement

Robert Ringen “Bob” Hermann

Birth
Saint Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri, USA
Death
5 Apr 2020 (aged 97)
Ladue, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA
Burial
Saint Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri, USA GPS-Latitude: 38.6883722, Longitude: -90.2302333
Plot
Section WWV, Block 272, Lot 6944, Hermann plot
Memorial ID
View Source
Robert Ringen ''Bob'' Hermann, a prominent businessman, civic leader, and philanthropist, died April 5, 2020, at the age of 97 in his home with his loving family by his side. Son of Fredrick A. and Evelyn Ringen Hermann, he was predeceased by two wives, Lilly Busch Hermann, and Mary Lee Marshall Hermann. He is survived by two children, Carlota ''Lotsie'' Hermann Holton (Rick), and Robert R. Hermann, Jr. (Signa); four step-children, Robert, Lesley, Mark, and Stephen Scherer. Predeceased by daughter Christy Busch Hermann. He was known as ''GoGo'' (an apt name, giving his prodigious energy) by his grandchildren, Christy Holton Hubbard (Ezra), Richard Holton, Jr. (Kristen), Robert Holton (Katie), Lacey Hermann Petersen (Charlie), Merrill Hermann, Robert Hermann III, and his eight great-grandchildren.

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.
Robert Ringen ''Bob'' Hermann, a prominent businessman, civic leader, and philanthropist, died April 5, 2020, at the age of 97 in his home with his loving family by his side. Son of Fredrick A. and Evelyn Ringen Hermann, he was predeceased by two wives, Lilly Busch Hermann, and Mary Lee Marshall Hermann. He is survived by two children, Carlota ''Lotsie'' Hermann Holton (Rick), and Robert R. Hermann, Jr. (Signa); four step-children, Robert, Lesley, Mark, and Stephen Scherer. Predeceased by daughter Christy Busch Hermann. He was known as ''GoGo'' (an apt name, giving his prodigious energy) by his grandchildren, Christy Holton Hubbard (Ezra), Richard Holton, Jr. (Kristen), Robert Holton (Katie), Lacey Hermann Petersen (Charlie), Merrill Hermann, Robert Hermann III, and his eight great-grandchildren.

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.


Sponsored by Ancestry

Advertisement

  • Created by: CMWJR
  • Added: Mar 19, 2021
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/224673487/robert_ringen-hermann: accessed ), memorial page for Robert Ringen “Bob” Hermann (3 Jan 1923–5 Apr 2020), Find a Grave Memorial ID 224673487, citing Bellefontaine Cemetery, Saint Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri, USA; Maintained by CMWJR (contributor 50059520).