Herman was born in Bear Creek Township west of Plain, Wisconsin, the third child of Joseph and Margaret (Kaul) Ringelstetter. Herman was employed by Kraemer construction company in Plain, Wisconsin, and worked as a rock crusher operator.

At the age of 34, Herman enlisted with the U.S. military at Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 21, 1942. He was stationed in England and took part in the Invasion of Normandy at which time he was killed in action. At the time of his death, his rank was Technician 5th Class in the 22nd Engineer Battalion of the 5th Armored Division. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal.

The "Weekly Home News" of Spring Green, Sauk County, Wisconsin, reported on January 4, 1945: Herman Ringelstetter Killed in Action. Joseph Ringelstetter of Big Hollow has received word that his son, T5 Herman J. Ringelstetter, 36, was killed in action in the European Theatre of War on December 15h. Ringelstetter was a member of the Fourth armored division and was attached to the First Army, which has been fighting in Belgium. Latest dispatches disclosing its location state that the first army last week was hammering the northern and western rim of the Nazi drive. He has three brothers in the service, all of them serving overseas. One, Sgt. Anthony Ringelstetter, is also a member of the Fourth Armored Division. Another, Pfc, Henry Ringelstetter, is with the 88th Infantry in Italy and the fourth, Sgt. Michael Ringelstetter, is now stationed on Ascension Island. Herman and Anthony met two months ago in a rest camp in Belgium. Ringelstetter had been in the service two years. He was at home a year ago last December and sailed from New York in January, 1944. he was stationed in England until the Invasion of Normandy, in which he took part. Beside his father he is survived by six brothers, Raymond and Joseph, Jr., at home; John of West Spring Green; Anthony, Henry and Michael in the military service, and four sisters, Clara, Mrs. Enoch Olson, Lone Rock; Marie, Mrs. Adrian Jorgenson, Racine and Ann and Elizabeth, at home. Tentative plans have been made to hold memorial services Monday, January 8, at 9:30 a.m. at the Catholic church in Spring Green. Herman attended the public school in Big Hollow, and before entering the military service was employed by Kraemer, Plain contractor. Word of his death was received by his father Sunday.

Herman's name also appears on his parent's tombstone at St. John's Catholic Cemetery, Spring Green, Sauk County, Wisconsin.