Richard Lee Herrman

Richard Lee "Herm" Herrman was known for being a successful, bright and cheery business owner.  Herm succumbed to a long battle of Parkinson's disease at Sunflower Care Home in Emporia on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the age of 88.

Richard was born on January 1, 1937, to Boniface and Mary (Legleiter), in Liebenthal, Kansas, the youngest of 9 children.  He graduated from St Joseph Catholic School in Liebenthal.

Herm has always been proud of his service in the United States Air Force, where he was a mechanic on KC97 airplanes when stationed in Guam.  After his military service, he worked in an autobody repair shop where he learned the trade.

He married the love of his life, Gladys (Gottschalk) in 1958.  He and Gladys had three children. She survives of the home. He is preceded in death by his daughter Mary Irene Jackson, and is survived by his son in law, Joseph Newton Jackson III, son, Allan F Herrman, and daughter, Lori Ann Herrman. Herm's favorite role was that as a grandfather and great grandfather. He treasured his time with Amy E Finnerty and her husband CJ Finnerty of Burlington KS and their children Gavin Joseph and Halle Mae Finnerty; Katherine Halfmann and her husband Shane Halfmann of Emporia KS and their children Hunter, Aurora Irene, Dawson, and Kennedi Oren Halfmann; Eliza Jo Banker and her husband Luke Michael Banker of Hallsville MO and their children Madalyn Elizabeth and Rhett Michael Banker; Carrie Finnerty of Olpe KS and her children Clara Dawn, Caroline Rose, and Cody Joseph Traffanstedt.

After settling in Emporia, eventually Herm and Gladys started Herm's Body Shop and served the Emporia area for 28 years.  Never knowing a stranger, Herm could have a conversation with anyone. So much so that even when out of town, he often ran into a previous acquaintance. From that love of people, he was involved with the community and served on several clubs and committees, but one of his fondest was being a Shriner.

Herm had a wonderful gift for figuring out how to fix, build or create.   Which was why he was so attracted to LEGO.  He loved the details and the wide variety of building sets.  This tinkering was what he called "Herrmanizing", which he often practiced on one of his greatest projects: his farm, his haven. He found peace creating a place where he and Gladys entertained family and friends.  He found joy in the farming community. Above all, he found pride in knowing he and his family built a place he never wanted to leave.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 9:00 a.m., Monday, June 23, 2025, at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, Emporia, with burial following at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery with military honors.  The Rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. with the Visitation from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, 605 State Street, Emporia, Kansas.  Memorial contributions can be made to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School can be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, P.O. Box 175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.  You can leave online condolences at www.robertsblue.com