Eric Wendell Herman went to be with our Lord and Savior on April 5, 2021. Charles and Leota (Nitsch) Herman welcomed Eric into this world on July 27, 1958, in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Eric was welcomed by siblings Doug, Sandra and Anna. Eric's younger brother, Kenneth Charles was born just 15 months later. Together the Hermans moved from Ardmore to Lafayette, Louisiana, in 1962 where he attended kindergarten. The family then moved to Manhattan, Kansas, in 1964, where Eric attended first grade. In 1965 the family settled in Concordia, Kansas. Concordia was a strategic move for the Herman family because it allowed Charles to work in town at the junior high school while still being close to Lincoln County, home of the family's farm. This allowed Charles, Leota and the children to spend time helping as farm hands. Eric enjoyed this very much and some of his fondest memories were times spent on the farm over weekends and summers. This is where Eric learned many skills and the value of a hard day's work. Visiting the farm also meant a great deal to him because he was spending time with his family, grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles. He treasured these times, often sharing stories at length to anyone who would listen.
Eric enjoyed and excelled in many athletic endeavors, in middle school he found a love of basketball and distance running that he embraced the rest of his life. Eric finished the remainder of his school in Concordia lettering in basketball, track and cross country. He graduated in 1976 and began his studies at Cloud County Community College. Eric married Jerilyn Chaput in 1978. Their family slowly grew as Eric pursued his career goals. Eric and Jeri had four children together, Aaron, Erica, Jared, and Garrett, whom Eric loved and adored.
After Eric graduated from Kansas State in 1980, he began his career with ABF freight as a dock manager. In 1982 he took an opportunity in sales at Hallmark Cards which turned into a 16 year career with the company that saw him rise from his position in retail sales to Director of Human Resources for the Northeast and gave his family the opportunity to live in many communities across the country.
In 2002, Eric and Jeri ended their marriage and Eric found new hope in Dallas, Texas. Eric began this new chapter of his life as Vice President of Marketing at Monarch Dental. After many successful years Eric decided to leave the corporate world. Eric started consulting for businesses in the Dallas area, as well as rehabbing homes in the North Dallas and Fort Worth areas. During this time Eric met and married Rebecca Davis. A desire to be near the water led Eric and Becky to the South Texas coast where Eric went back to school and earned his teaching certificate. He began teaching eighth grade math in San Benito, Texas. Eric settled into a historic home which he lovingly restored for his semi-retirement in Bonham, Texas. He kept himself busy with multiple projects such as his love of woodworking, gardening, and workaround the home. Eric also enjoyed his annual pheasant hunting trip with his uncle, cousins, sons, nephew and friends in Lincoln County. In his later life Eric found a passion for sailing and when able loved to be on the open water.
While Eric had an extensive and diverse work history he was not defined by his career. He first and foremost was a loving father who took pride in seeing his children succeed in their endeavors and was often involved as a coach, sponsor, or volunteer. Beyond being a father but almost equally defining for him is his faith instilled in him by his parents and nurtured by many church families across the country. Since he was a child Eric was very involved in church activities which included being a choir member, Sunday school teacher, youth group sponsor and church deacon. Eric took great pride that his example led his children into leading Christ centered lives.
He is survived by his children, Aaron Herman (Erin), Concordia, Kansas, Erica Quave (Brandon), McKinney, Texas, Jared Herman (Joii), Lodi, Lockeford, California, and Garrett Herman (Becca), Frisco, Texas; his parents, Charles and Leota Herman, Concordia, Kansas; brother, Doug Herman (Kathy), Concordia, Kansas; sisters, Sandra Church (Ken), Lansing, Kansas, and Anna Mason (Richard), Concordia, Kansas; and nine grandchildren Emma, Faith, Easton, Abby, Isaac, Anders, Evelyn, Hazel and George Landry.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Charles Herman in 1967.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at 11 AM at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia, Kansas, with Matthew Carder officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Concordia. The family invites you to celebrate Eric at the Cloud County Fair Grounds for lunch and fellowship immediately following the burial. Visitation will be on Monday, April 12, 2021, 1 PM to 8 PM with the family greeting friends from 6 PM to 8 PM all to be held at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Kindred Hospice or cards to the family in care of the funeral home.
For online condolences please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.