REINHART E. HERZOG

Fire Chief (retired) Reinhart E. Herzog, 77, 3302 Edgewood Ln., Manitowoc,
passed away peacefully on to a better life on Monday afternoon, May 19, 2003,
at Aurora Medical Center, Two Rivers, Wis.
Reine was born on April 27, 1926, son of the late Reine G. and Ella Mulloy
Herzog. He was educated at St. Boniface Catholic School where he experienced
the guidance of the Sisters he so cherished as an adult. He graduated from
Lincoln High School in 1944 and immediately enlisted in the United States Navy
to defend his country in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. After being
honorably discharged from the Navy, he returned to Manitowoc and began a
lifelong passion for the service to his community, donning the uniform of a
Manitowoc firefighter on Jan. 1, 1950. Long before emergency medical service
matured in the late 1970 s he was an advocate of skilled care on the scene.
Always on the forefront he was one of the first CPR instructors, one of the
first EMTs and a long-time first aid instructor. As a firefighter, he was
constantly seeking ways to make the job safer for those he worked beside. A s
trong proponent of education, he eventually rose to the position of Fire Chief,
serving in that capacity from 1974 until his retirement in 1990. In order to
assure that his children and eventually his grandchildren would have the college
education he valued so greatly, he worked tirelessly at additional jobs. He was
the Greyhound agent for many years and owned and operated Manitowoc Ambulance
Service with his wife and family for 19 years. He was a long-time member of the
Manitowoc Noon Optimist Club, Eagles Aerie #706 and the Manitowoc Yacht Club.
He married Jeannine Bruechert on May 26, 1951.
The couple have four children, Nan (Steve) Oswald, Manitowoc; Chuck (Chris) Herzog,
Manitowoc; Mike (Carol) Herzog, Maribel; Pat (Holly) Herzog, Maribel. There are
11 grandchildren, Brian Herzog, Christopher Oswald, Stephanie Herzog, Nicholas
Oswald, Jennifer Herzog, Kelsey Oswald, Mackenzie Herzog, Sean-Patrick Oswald,
Ben Herzog, Sara Herzog and Kelly Herzog. Also surviving are sisters, Pat (Norman)
Ehr, Florida; Kathy Bundy, Manitowoc; one brother, Tom (Marge) Herzog, Green Bay;
sister-in-law, Monica Herzog, Manitowoc; the Don Gallagher family of Green Bay
whose support he so appreciated; nieces, nephews along with other relatives and
friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Robert Herzog.
In his leisure hours, he treasured the pursuit rummage sale bargains and the
elusive Little Sturgeon perch, a delicacy he delightfully supplied to his gathered
family at his beloved cottage in Door County. Sunsets over the Bay, viewed on the
patio supplied by Grandpa and Grandma provided many an opportunity for reflection
and learning for two generations. He took great pride in his membership in the
Greatest Generation always speaking with reverence and awe of those who sacrificed
much more than him. As he approached the end of his life, he asked that a simple
obituary tell the citizens of his beloved community that he tried to do his best
for them. So great was his pride in the fact that all of his children followed
him into public service that he asked that they wear the professional uniforms
of the firefighter, the nurse and the U.S. Marine at his funeral.
The family will greet friends at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home, 628 N. Water
St., Manitowoc, on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. with a Prayer Service being held at
7 p.m. lead by Deacon Rich Bahnaman. Friends may also call at the funeral home on
Friday from 9:30 a.m. until services begin at 10:15 at which time the cortege will
leave for Holy Innocents Catholic Church.
Funeral services will be 10:15 a.m. Friday at the Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home
and 11 a.m. at Holy Innocents Catholic Church, 1121 N. 14th St., Manitowoc. The
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Gerald Foley with burial
to follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Manitowoc. Military rites will be accorded by
the United States Marine Corps Reserve Unit of Green Bay.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that memorials be directed to a memorial fund
that is being established in his name to support his lifelong passion for education
opportunity for scholarships for students to enter a career in safety education
or community service.
A special thank you to the VNA Hospice program and dad s special nurse, Edie Headrick,
who gave such tender, loving care.
This is the final alarm for Chief Reine Herzog.
The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 628 N. Water St.,
Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.
Herald Times Reporter, May 2003