Herb's parents emigrated from Germany in the early 1900's and settled in Eastern Washington as Herb had an uncle Jacob living in Cashmere. The fertile wheat fields of Eastern Washington attracted many ethnic German farmers from the Ukraine and these immigrants were on the lookout for a German speaking pastor. The family moved from Odessa to Ralston in 1919 when Herb was 3 years old. Three of Herb's brothers, Reinhardt, Helmut and Benjamin were born in Ralston and the town would prove to be even more significant to Herb in later years. The family lived in Ralston for several years before moving on to other communities in Eastern Washington and settling in Wapato where Herb was graduated from Wapato High School in 1934. Herb grew up in a family of one sister and 7 brothers
In 1937 Herb met Virginia, while horseback riding and they were married May 26, 1938 in the Methodist Church in Prosser, WA. Shortly after their marriage, Herb and Virginia lived in Twin Falls Idaho before returning to Yakima where their first three sons were born. In 1940 their first son, Herbert Jr., "Keppy" was born. In 1942, Jim was born. In 1944 Herb and Virginia experienced the tragedy of losing Keppy to polio while Virginia was in the hospital giving birth to John. In 1945 the family moved to Pasco, WA and then on to Wallace, Idaho in 1946 where Jerry was born.
The family moved back to Yakima in early 1947 where they lived until they moved to Seattle in 1954. Prior to moving to Seattle, Herb worked for a local grocery chain, Sigman's, in Yakima and then went to work for Kraft Foods. Herb had the opportunity for a promotion with Kraft in Seattle. Herb continued his employment with Kraft in Seattle until his retirement in 1979.
After their retirement, Herb enjoyed his gardens which produced voluminous crops of roses, raspberries and tomatoes. Many of you here today enjoyed Virginia's raspberry jam and no doubt received fresh raspberries as well. For many years, Herb also baked fresh bread every week for communion services at the 9:00 services at the old First Church. Herb and Virginia enjoyed traveling and took many trips to Germany and England to find Keppler family relatives. They enjoyed cruises as well as many trips to Mexico and Hawaii.
An important activity during Herb's retirement was honoring one of his brothers, Reinhardt, who was a Medal of Honor decorated naval hero during World War II. Reinhardt served on the Heavy Cruiser, USS San Francisco. Herb and Virginia met many new friends at USS San Francisco reunions with survivors of the USS San Francisco who had served with Reinhardt in World War II. In addition to the USS San Francisco reunions, they attended reunions with crewmembers of the USS Keppler, a destroyer escort named for Reinhardt. In 2002, the town of Ralston, honored Reinhardt and the family by naming the town park, Keppler Memorial Park. In addition to attending the commemoration, Herb was also able to once again travel to Ralston in 2009 for the Ralston Centennial. His childhood home "Volunteer of the Month" on more than one occasion. He also participated in many other activities at Bayview, including the German club as he never lost his ability to speak the fluent German he learned at home as a child growing up with German speaking parents.
Herb stayed active, enjoying his three sons and their families and taking his afternoon walks to Kerry Park and elsewhere around the Queen Anne area. He lived a full and happy life punctuated by his exceedingly friendly and outgoing personality. He always had a kind word and warm smile for people he happened upon.
In March, Herb contracted a serious strain of Pneumonia. Although at first physicians and family were somewhat optimistic that with antibiotics, he could recover from this illness. But the disease proved resistant to the drugs. On March 28th Herb, with his family at his bedside passed from this life and into the eternal reward he so richly deserved.
Herb is survived by a brother, David, his three sons, Jim and wife Catherine, John and wife Marsha and Jerry and wife Ann; granddaughter Heidi, and grandsons Dean, Kirk and his wife Joni, and Eric and his wife Courtney and 4 great grandchildren Wyatt, Evan, Lucas and Noah.
Contributor: Evelyn Rowe Nelson (47040334)
In 1937 Herb met Virginia, while horseback riding and they were married May 26, 1938 in the Methodist Church in Prosser, WA. Shortly after their marriage, Herb and Virginia lived in Twin Falls Idaho before returning to Yakima where their first three sons were born. In 1940 their first son, Herbert Jr., "Keppy" was born. In 1942, Jim was born. In 1944 Herb and Virginia experienced the tragedy of losing Keppy to polio while Virginia was in the hospital giving birth to John. In 1945 the family moved to Pasco, WA and then on to Wallace, Idaho in 1946 where Jerry was born.
The family moved back to Yakima in early 1947 where they lived until they moved to Seattle in 1954. Prior to moving to Seattle, Herb worked for a local grocery chain, Sigman's, in Yakima and then went to work for Kraft Foods. Herb had the opportunity for a promotion with Kraft in Seattle. Herb continued his employment with Kraft in Seattle until his retirement in 1979.
After their retirement, Herb enjoyed his gardens which produced voluminous crops of roses, raspberries and tomatoes. Many of you here today enjoyed Virginia's raspberry jam and no doubt received fresh raspberries as well. For many years, Herb also baked fresh bread every week for communion services at the 9:00 services at the old First Church. Herb and Virginia enjoyed traveling and took many trips to Germany and England to find Keppler family relatives. They enjoyed cruises as well as many trips to Mexico and Hawaii.
An important activity during Herb's retirement was honoring one of his brothers, Reinhardt, who was a Medal of Honor decorated naval hero during World War II. Reinhardt served on the Heavy Cruiser, USS San Francisco. Herb and Virginia met many new friends at USS San Francisco reunions with survivors of the USS San Francisco who had served with Reinhardt in World War II. In addition to the USS San Francisco reunions, they attended reunions with crewmembers of the USS Keppler, a destroyer escort named for Reinhardt. In 2002, the town of Ralston, honored Reinhardt and the family by naming the town park, Keppler Memorial Park. In addition to attending the commemoration, Herb was also able to once again travel to Ralston in 2009 for the Ralston Centennial. His childhood home "Volunteer of the Month" on more than one occasion. He also participated in many other activities at Bayview, including the German club as he never lost his ability to speak the fluent German he learned at home as a child growing up with German speaking parents.
Herb stayed active, enjoying his three sons and their families and taking his afternoon walks to Kerry Park and elsewhere around the Queen Anne area. He lived a full and happy life punctuated by his exceedingly friendly and outgoing personality. He always had a kind word and warm smile for people he happened upon.
In March, Herb contracted a serious strain of Pneumonia. Although at first physicians and family were somewhat optimistic that with antibiotics, he could recover from this illness. But the disease proved resistant to the drugs. On March 28th Herb, with his family at his bedside passed from this life and into the eternal reward he so richly deserved.
Herb is survived by a brother, David, his three sons, Jim and wife Catherine, John and wife Marsha and Jerry and wife Ann; granddaughter Heidi, and grandsons Dean, Kirk and his wife Joni, and Eric and his wife Courtney and 4 great grandchildren Wyatt, Evan, Lucas and Noah.
Contributor: Evelyn Rowe Nelson (47040334)
Herb's parents emigrated from Germany in the early 1900's and settled in Eastern Washington as Herb had an uncle Jacob living in Cashmere. The fertile wheat fields of Eastern Washington attracted many ethnic German farmers from the Ukraine and these immigrants were on the lookout for a German speaking pastor. The family moved from Odessa to Ralston in 1919 when Herb was 3 years old. Three of Herb's brothers, Reinhardt, Helmut and Benjamin were born in Ralston and the town would prove to be even more significant to Herb in later years. The family lived in Ralston for several years before moving on to other communities in Eastern Washington and settling in Wapato where Herb was graduated from Wapato High School in 1934. Herb grew up in a family of one sister and 7 brothers
In 1937 Herb met Virginia, while horseback riding and they were married May 26, 1938 in the Methodist Church in Prosser, WA. Shortly after their marriage, Herb and Virginia lived in Twin Falls Idaho before returning to Yakima where their first three sons were born. In 1940 their first son, Herbert Jr., "Keppy" was born. In 1942, Jim was born. In 1944 Herb and Virginia experienced the tragedy of losing Keppy to polio while Virginia was in the hospital giving birth to John. In 1945 the family moved to Pasco, WA and then on to Wallace, Idaho in 1946 where Jerry was born.
The family moved back to Yakima in early 1947 where they lived until they moved to Seattle in 1954. Prior to moving to Seattle, Herb worked for a local grocery chain, Sigman's, in Yakima and then went to work for Kraft Foods. Herb had the opportunity for a promotion with Kraft in Seattle. Herb continued his employment with Kraft in Seattle until his retirement in 1979.
After their retirement, Herb enjoyed his gardens which produced voluminous crops of roses, raspberries and tomatoes. Many of you here today enjoyed Virginia's raspberry jam and no doubt received fresh raspberries as well. For many years, Herb also baked fresh bread every week for communion services at the 9:00 services at the old First Church. Herb and Virginia enjoyed traveling and took many trips to Germany and England to find Keppler family relatives. They enjoyed cruises as well as many trips to Mexico and Hawaii.
An important activity during Herb's retirement was honoring one of his brothers, Reinhardt, who was a Medal of Honor decorated naval hero during World War II. Reinhardt served on the Heavy Cruiser, USS San Francisco. Herb and Virginia met many new friends at USS San Francisco reunions with survivors of the USS San Francisco who had served with Reinhardt in World War II. In addition to the USS San Francisco reunions, they attended reunions with crewmembers of the USS Keppler, a destroyer escort named for Reinhardt. In 2002, the town of Ralston, honored Reinhardt and the family by naming the town park, Keppler Memorial Park. In addition to attending the commemoration, Herb was also able to once again travel to Ralston in 2009 for the Ralston Centennial. His childhood home "Volunteer of the Month" on more than one occasion. He also participated in many other activities at Bayview, including the German club as he never lost his ability to speak the fluent German he learned at home as a child growing up with German speaking parents.
Herb stayed active, enjoying his three sons and their families and taking his afternoon walks to Kerry Park and elsewhere around the Queen Anne area. He lived a full and happy life punctuated by his exceedingly friendly and outgoing personality. He always had a kind word and warm smile for people he happened upon.
In March, Herb contracted a serious strain of Pneumonia. Although at first physicians and family were somewhat optimistic that with antibiotics, he could recover from this illness. But the disease proved resistant to the drugs. On March 28th Herb, with his family at his bedside passed from this life and into the eternal reward he so richly deserved.
Herb is survived by a brother, David, his three sons, Jim and wife Catherine, John and wife Marsha and Jerry and wife Ann; granddaughter Heidi, and grandsons Dean, Kirk and his wife Joni, and Eric and his wife Courtney and 4 great grandchildren Wyatt, Evan, Lucas and Noah.
Contributor: Evelyn Rowe Nelson (47040334)
In 1937 Herb met Virginia, while horseback riding and they were married May 26, 1938 in the Methodist Church in Prosser, WA. Shortly after their marriage, Herb and Virginia lived in Twin Falls Idaho before returning to Yakima where their first three sons were born. In 1940 their first son, Herbert Jr., "Keppy" was born. In 1942, Jim was born. In 1944 Herb and Virginia experienced the tragedy of losing Keppy to polio while Virginia was in the hospital giving birth to John. In 1945 the family moved to Pasco, WA and then on to Wallace, Idaho in 1946 where Jerry was born.
The family moved back to Yakima in early 1947 where they lived until they moved to Seattle in 1954. Prior to moving to Seattle, Herb worked for a local grocery chain, Sigman's, in Yakima and then went to work for Kraft Foods. Herb had the opportunity for a promotion with Kraft in Seattle. Herb continued his employment with Kraft in Seattle until his retirement in 1979.
After their retirement, Herb enjoyed his gardens which produced voluminous crops of roses, raspberries and tomatoes. Many of you here today enjoyed Virginia's raspberry jam and no doubt received fresh raspberries as well. For many years, Herb also baked fresh bread every week for communion services at the 9:00 services at the old First Church. Herb and Virginia enjoyed traveling and took many trips to Germany and England to find Keppler family relatives. They enjoyed cruises as well as many trips to Mexico and Hawaii.
An important activity during Herb's retirement was honoring one of his brothers, Reinhardt, who was a Medal of Honor decorated naval hero during World War II. Reinhardt served on the Heavy Cruiser, USS San Francisco. Herb and Virginia met many new friends at USS San Francisco reunions with survivors of the USS San Francisco who had served with Reinhardt in World War II. In addition to the USS San Francisco reunions, they attended reunions with crewmembers of the USS Keppler, a destroyer escort named for Reinhardt. In 2002, the town of Ralston, honored Reinhardt and the family by naming the town park, Keppler Memorial Park. In addition to attending the commemoration, Herb was also able to once again travel to Ralston in 2009 for the Ralston Centennial. His childhood home "Volunteer of the Month" on more than one occasion. He also participated in many other activities at Bayview, including the German club as he never lost his ability to speak the fluent German he learned at home as a child growing up with German speaking parents.
Herb stayed active, enjoying his three sons and their families and taking his afternoon walks to Kerry Park and elsewhere around the Queen Anne area. He lived a full and happy life punctuated by his exceedingly friendly and outgoing personality. He always had a kind word and warm smile for people he happened upon.
In March, Herb contracted a serious strain of Pneumonia. Although at first physicians and family were somewhat optimistic that with antibiotics, he could recover from this illness. But the disease proved resistant to the drugs. On March 28th Herb, with his family at his bedside passed from this life and into the eternal reward he so richly deserved.
Herb is survived by a brother, David, his three sons, Jim and wife Catherine, John and wife Marsha and Jerry and wife Ann; granddaughter Heidi, and grandsons Dean, Kirk and his wife Joni, and Eric and his wife Courtney and 4 great grandchildren Wyatt, Evan, Lucas and Noah.
Contributor: Evelyn Rowe Nelson (47040334)
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