Roy J. Herter
March 21, 1924 — September 21, 2018
Roy J. Herter: 03/21/1924 ~ 09/21/2018 ~ Forever in our hearts
On September 21, 2018, Roy J. Herter said farewell to this world he loved so much. He was 94 years young and one of life’s greater champions.
Roy grew up in the Chicago north side with his siblings Chuck and Marie. He enlisted to fight in WWII when he was 19 and on June 6, 1944, he lost his leg to a land mine on the beaches of Normandy. (A chilling story he told many times.) Yet that never deterred him from laughing and loving life. He returned home with his Purple Heart and raised two children, Larry and Carole, with his newly married wife, June. He traveled the world several times over with her. (Just to get an idea, he was pen pals with his tailor in Hong Kong and received Christmas bread annually from a family in France.) The man loved culture and diversity, which aided his approach in sales; "None of my clients are customers. They're my friends." He continued to thrive and bought a cottage in Wisconsin where his friends, kids, and eventually grandkids, could play. He loved to spread his wisdom and often expressed what he thought was the secret to life, 'good friendships'. He accepted people’s differences and had many civil debates about religion, politics and other serious matters while maintaining his positive outlook and demeanor.
He loved fishing, mechanics, leather bound chairs, the simplicity of cheese and sausage on a cracker, Cadillacs, wearing classy suits, "Gone with the Wind", "Cleopatra", “Ben Hur” and "Forrest Gump". (One of his highlights was personally meeting Tom Hanks). Over the years he had multiple surgeries that forced him to completely relearn functionality, including walking, but he seldom complained about his limitations. He replaced his frustrations with his signature beaming smile and notably infectious laugh. Far into retirement and after 50 years of marriage, he became widowed. But instead of slowing down, he sped up. He began staying out late partying and becoming a night animal. He enjoyed good conversation and food on a whole new level. He would comment that other senior citizens were "Just waiting for death" and complain, "That's for the birds! Get out of the way for those of us that are still having fun!" After 94.5 years of smiling, loving and living, Roy allowed himself to finally relax eternally.
We shouldn’t mourn when someone dies a success. Roy was incredibly loving, remarkably strong, patient, hilarious, devout, respectful, respected, a hard worker, the life of the party, a war hero, and a personal hero for many who knew him.
Let there be no sadness for Roy’s passing, but rather a hearty celebration for one of this world's better people.
Roy J. Herter: 03/21/1924 ~ 09/21/2018 ~ Forever in our hearts
A Military Memorial Service will be held at 11am on Tuesday, October 2nd at The South Florida National Cemetery. (6501 SR 7, Lake Worth FL 33449)
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the service and enter Lane 5. The ceremony will end promptly at 11:20am.
In lieu of Flowers the family requests that contributions be made to The Disabled American Veterans Fund ( www.dav.org/donate ) or other Veteran Organizations. Thank you.
On September 21, 2018, Roy J. Herter said farewell to this world he loved so much. He was 94 years young and one of life’s greater champions.
Roy grew up in the Chicago north side with his siblings Chuck and Marie. He enlisted to fight in WWII when he was 19 and on June 6, 1944, he lost his leg to a land mine on the beaches of Normandy. (A chilling story he told many times.) Yet that never deterred him from laughing and loving life. He returned home with his Purple Heart and raised two children, Larry and Carole, with his newly married wife, June. He traveled the world several times over with her. (Just to get an idea, he was pen pals with his tailor in Hong Kong and received Christmas bread annually from a family in France.) The man loved culture and diversity, which aided his approach in sales; "None of my clients are customers. They're my friends." He continued to thrive and bought a cottage in Wisconsin where his friends, kids, and eventually grandkids, could play. He loved to spread his wisdom and often expressed what he thought was the secret to life, 'good friendships'. He accepted people’s differences and had many civil debates about religion, politics and other serious matters while maintaining his positive outlook and demeanor.
He loved fishing, mechanics, leather bound chairs, the simplicity of cheese and sausage on a cracker, Cadillacs, wearing classy suits, "Gone with the Wind", "Cleopatra", “Ben Hur” and "Forrest Gump". (One of his highlights was personally meeting Tom Hanks). Over the years he had multiple surgeries that forced him to completely relearn functionality, including walking, but he seldom complained about his limitations. He replaced his frustrations with his signature beaming smile and notably infectious laugh. Far into retirement and after 50 years of marriage, he became widowed. But instead of slowing down, he sped up. He began staying out late partying and becoming a night animal. He enjoyed good conversation and food on a whole new level. He would comment that other senior citizens were "Just waiting for death" and complain, "That's for the birds! Get out of the way for those of us that are still having fun!" After 94.5 years of smiling, loving and living, Roy allowed himself to finally relax eternally.
We shouldn’t mourn when someone dies a success. Roy was incredibly loving, remarkably strong, patient, hilarious, devout, respectful, respected, a hard worker, the life of the party, a war hero, and a personal hero for many who knew him.
Let there be no sadness for Roy’s passing, but rather a hearty celebration for one of this world's better people.
Roy J. Herter: 03/21/1924 ~ 09/21/2018 ~ Forever in our hearts
A Military Memorial Service will be held at 11am on Tuesday, October 2nd at The South Florida National Cemetery. (6501 SR 7, Lake Worth FL 33449)
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the service and enter Lane 5. The ceremony will end promptly at 11:20am.
In lieu of Flowers the family requests that contributions be made to The Disabled American Veterans Fund ( www.dav.org/donate ) or other Veteran Organizations. Thank you.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Roy J. Herter, please visit our flower store.