Hervey, William Hugh 1925-2009
HERVEY, OSGOOD, HICKS, EATON, GRUBBS, SULLINS, CIMINO, HAMPTON, NEGRON
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 9/7/2012 at 13:15:05
William Hugh Hervey died on Thursday, October 8, 2009 at the Barthell O.E.S. Home in Decorah, IA after many years of health problems. He was born on August 6, 1925 in Butler, Pennsylvania and lived a remarkable life in spite of many illnesses. During the 1930’s depression, his family lived in many Pennsylvania cities and towns as his father, a pharmacist, worked wherever he found opportunities. The family settled in Erie, PA where Bill graduated from Strong Vincent High School after returning from the South Pacific where he served in the 842nd Engineer Aviation Battalion from 1943 until his honorable discharge on January 20, 1946. He saw combat in the Philippines, Leyte Gulf, Okinawa, and Guam. The first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on his 20th birthday. These experiences shaped many of his lifelong interests in peaceful resolution to international problems.
Upon his discharge, he entered Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania and earned a BA in English and Accounting in 1949. After several years as an auditor, eye problems led to a new career in technical writing. He worked in the research division of Firestone Corporation in Akron, Ohio until accepting a position with Dresser Industries in Olean, New York in 1958. There he managed a division including technical writers, illustrators, and customer training programs. He also taught several courses in technical writing at St. Bonaventure University. Health problems resulted in early retirement in 1980. During the years in upstate New York, Bill served on the board of the Camp Fire Girls and chaired the industrial division of fund raising to build a new hospital. He and his wife Norma were the chairs of community programs of the Experiment in International Living and participated in the Fresh Air program bringing inner city children into the community for twelve years.
In 1981, the family moved to St. Peter, MN where Bill served on the Nicollet County Mental Health Board and on the board of the local co-op. Health problems during the past 21 years in Decorah, IA resulted in less community involvement. A resident at the Eastern Star Home for seven years, Bill also was a participant in the Spectrum Adult Care program from 1997 until 2005. After moving to Decorah in 1988, Bill’s activities were restricted due to his inability to drive but he continued to provide modest support to community activities. Bill especially enjoyed theatre and music in Decorah, Lanesboro and the Twin Cities. Travel throughout the United States and abroad continued through a year in Prague in 2001. After a preliminary diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease in 1996, he participated in a Mayo Clinic research program.
Family members who preceded Bill in death include his eldest son, William in 1984; his parents, Donald and Dorothy Osgood Hervey; his parents-in law, Geraldine and Anderson Hicks; his sister Barbara Eaton; a brother-in-law, Owen Grubbs of Media, PA; nephew Glen Hervey; and niece Cheryl Grubbs; and great nephew, Mathew Grubbs.
Survivors include his wife since 1955, Norma of Decorah; his daughters, Beth of Minneapolis, MN Coleen Sullins of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Rebecca (Bill) Cimino, granddaughters Hazel and Allison Cimino of Reston, VA; and sons Scott (Ruth Hampton) and Rob of Decorah; and Fresh-Air son, Victor Negron and his family of Las Vegas, NV. Other survivors include an older brother, Donald (Helene) of Lakeland, FL and sister Marcia Grubbs of PA; brothers-in-law, Al Eaton of North Ridgeville, OH; David (Rae Ellen) Hicks of Canfield, OH; and many nieces and nephews. Many Luther students were also part of the extended family.
In lieu of flowers, those desiring to honor Bill are invited to contribute to the Hervey endowment at Luther College, the William R. Hervey memorial scholarship at the University of Washington, the Eastern Star, Spectrum Industries or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Memorial Services will be held Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 1:00 P.M. at First Lutheran Church in Decorah.
Source: Fjelstul Funeral Home database
Winneshiek Obituaries maintained by Jeff Getchell.
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