Rudolph “Rudy” Carl Herrmann, 82, passed away in his sleep on Friday September 7, 2018, at The Bridges of Appleton after a short illness. He was born in Appleton, December 9, 1935, fourth child of the late Rudolph and Emma (Lueders) Herrmann.
Rudy was raised on the “Southside” of Appleton, and was proud of his “wrong side of the river” heritage. His childhood was normal until one day in 1948, when he was playing in a scrap pile, a piece of glass flew into his eye. He never regained vision in his left eye. Unable to convince the military of his blindness, Rudy was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served as an MP for one year in Hawaii. Throughout his life, Rudy looked back fondly of his time in the military and on the “Big Island”.
After leaving the military, Rudy met the love of his life, Marian Simpson. After a courtship of only a few months, they were united in marriage on November 4, 1961. Marian brought two sons into the marriage, Gary and Thomas Simpson. Rudy raised and loved those boys as his own. A better father could not have been created. Rudy worked almost 50 years for Rich’s Products (Elm Tree Bakery) before retiring when the plant closed. He loved to go up north to the family cabin in Hiles, WI. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, boating and just hanging out at the picnic table with his family and friends. Rudy also loved to fix things. His attempts to fix broken items around the house got him on a first name basis with the ER staff. More than a few times, he needed stitches in his fingers or hand due to a slip with a repair task or tool.
Rudy is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Marian; two sons: Gary (Jan) Simpson and Thomas (Cindy) Simpson; four grandchildren: John, Amy and Jamie Simpson, and Kay (Chris) Hillman; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers: Jerry (Sandy) and Jim (Mary) Herrmann; sisters: Millie Pagel, Helen Shortt and Phylis Bouchard; two brothers in-law: James (Beverly) Kohl and Robert (Luis) Kohl; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was further preceded in death by his brother, Donald; infant sister, Marie; grandson, Taylor Buss; five brother’s in-law: Ed Pagel, Gerald Shortt, Ronald Bouchard, Eugene Kohl, and Clayton Kohl.
Funeral service for Rudy will be 6:00 PM on Thursday September 13, 2018 at VALLEY FUNERAL HOME. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Thursday beginning at 3:00 until 5:45 PM, with service to follow at 6:00 PM. Full military honors will follow the service.
Rudy, you are loved and will be missed.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Rudolph "Rudy" Carl Herrmann Jr., please visit our floral store.