Exactly a year ago, Uncle Wally came with my Dad to my Annual Habitat for Humanity Prime Rib Dinner Fundraiser. So, this weekend sitting at our same table again, he was definitely missed when our same table mates asked where my uncle was this year. Uncle Wally could talk farming, he could talk travel, family, music, and he would always make me laugh some way or another. The pictures I have aren’t the best, one because one is candid. And two, because when I did ask for a pic of him and my dad, he held up the bidding paddle in front of his face. You can’t be mad though, it captures his joking nature and how he got Dad to laugh. 

Something so important to me to share was how consistent he was with family, and caring about you. Uncle Wally was always there for family gatherings and would always ask how you are, what’s new, and really engage and care about your answer. And he remembered those things the next time he would see you and check in on your progress. The past couple years whenever I saw him he’d always invite me, (and Idel), out to California to stay so that we could experience San Francisco and Cali life. He was always encouraging of your passions and that is super special in a family member. He didn’t have to come to my Habitat dinner and sit through that terrible magician, but he did. Just like he didn’t have to invite us rowdy White girls out to swim in St Charles so many times as kids. Such fun memories there with him, Dad, Aunt Denise and the girls in the summer and their 4th of July parties. 

You, your smile, and your laugh are truly missed. I’ll carry the memories with me forever. Rest In Peace 

I knew Walt most of my adult life with him first being a friend of my brother, a brother to my dear friend Nancy and the boyfriend then husband to my sister, Dee and then good friend to Ed.  We were connected in so many different ways.  He was my friend, he was my brother in law whom I cared for and about immensely.  His large presence will be deeply missed and deeply remembered.

I remember after my mom passed away from suicide when I was 15, my brother hosted a party at our house while my Dad was out of town taking a reprieve and resting from the realization he had lost his wife to her battle with mental illness and he was now a single Dad.  We were playing cards at the kitchen table - Walt wanted to hear my story, he was truly interested and cared how her death impacted me - he listened intently and to lighten the conversation injected some humor.  He felt so deeply what others felt - ALWAYS.  I often thought he carried how others felt inside of him.

Walt was a amazing cabana boy, griller, admirer of sunsets and the outdoors - he liked adventure, anything outdoors, good food - I could go on and on.  We had a lot of great times together and even some hard times together.  Walt would do anything for anyone - anytime, anywhere!  Walt picked Dee, Nancy, Kristen and I up after a Bryan Adams concert - seemed like a good idea to leave our car at the Martini Bar.  He cleaned the pool in St. Charles impeccably, he offered rides to the airport, he loved the farm and their piece of heaven where he would grill steaks and make a fire so we could see the sunset then eat marshmallows. He drove a dozen of us in the motor home down to RIPS for my Dad's bday - took a while for us to find where the gas tank was on it but within minutes, we were plugging back along down Rte 39!  We walked the beach in CA and danced at few concerts and cheered at baseball games.  So many memories.

Walt was the guy that would challenge you on your thoughts, opinions, feelings...he loved a good debate, he loved a bad debate - he loved to debate!  I sometimes thought it was harsh but came to know and understand that was his way of expressing himself, sharing his prospective, showing he cared - right or wrong, it was his way to make sure you were  strong in your conviction, opinion and prospective.  He was a dreamer, thinker and student of life, religion and politics...he had strong opinions and viewpoints.

I love the "Walt Herrmann walk/swag", his passion, his love, how proud he was and the fact he openly expressed it about Denise, Ashley, Michael, Amanda, Matt and especially, all the grandkids - his siblings too.  Nancy held a special place in Walt's heart.   When you look at the photos here - THAT is who Wally was inside.  He said more then once "I am the lucky one".

We all have struggles and often, we don't know what people are going through or experiencing  in their lives because we don't walk in their shoes -  they hide it, they show it but we don't wanna see it or we are so preoccupied with our own life and issues, we don't take the time or effort to ask or get involved.  Or, we just don't know what to do.

Acts of kindness and getting involved when someone is hurting - those are things we can do.  Walt did this for others in so many ways.  I recently talked to a local woman who could hardly speak as she told me, "Walt helped me when I was down and really needed it".  I feel a deep ache in my heart that my mom is not here, his mom is not here...that he is not here and many others.  We have to work harder to find solutions, support, understanding and healing for those that are struggling and are ill - spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally.  I renew my commitment!  I love you Walt and praying for your peace and peace to all of your family and friends.  Love, Beth    

We've gone on vacation several times with Wally & Denise over the many years that we have been friends.  One of our favorite trips (many years ago!) was to Jamaica.  There were eight of us in the group, the Davis's, the Pickwells, the Herrmanns, and the Edeckers.  One day, the entire group decided to go golfing at a local course not far from our hotel.  The guys were in one foursome and the girls in another.  There were no golf carts allowed on this particular course; we had to use caddies!  Not something that any of us were accustomed to (caddies at IOCC?), but off we went.  In the girls group, Denise and I shared a caddy.  Both of us had stashed a huge amount of extra golf balls in our bags, planning ahead for poor golfing, but our caddy did a great job, carrying our very heavy bags (I guess the bags got lighter as the round went on...I know I left many golf balls in Jamaica) without complaint.  We gave him a healthy tip at the end of the round...we gave him quite a workout and he totally earned it!  Their tips were a very big part, if not all, of their salary.  The guys got to know their caddies pretty well during their round.  Lots of healthy golf banter back and forth, and the guys learned how little these caddies had in their lives.  When our group got back together for cocktails and golf stories, we learned what Wally gave as a tip.  His caddie's golf shoes were falling apart so Wally gave him his own golf shoes.  They were new, he'd only worn them once or twice himself.  He literally took the shoes off his feet and gave them to someone who needed them.  Totally selfless.  Totally kind.  Nobody else thought to do this.  That was Wally and it's something I'll always remember about that trip and about him.