Cover photo for Herbert Beyersdorf's Obituary
Herbert Beyersdorf Profile Photo
1920 Herbert 2007

Herbert Beyersdorf

March 1, 1920 — February 5, 2007

HERBERT BEYERSDORF JR. Herbert Beyersdorf Jr., age 86, of Marshall, peacefully went home to his Lord while in the loving care of his family at Oaklawn Hospital on Monday, February 5, 2007. Herb was born March 1, 1920 in Marinette, Wisconsin to Herbert and Emily (Allard) Beyersdorf. Herb attended school in Menominee, Michigan , and was a proud member of the 1938 Menominee High School graduating class. Herb enjoyed sports , and was the starting end on the Menominee High School football team. Last November Menominee played in the championship playoffs at Detroit''s Ford Field, and Herb was in the stands with his family. Fox Sports found out Herb was there and was the oldest former team member in attendance! Within minutes of the Menominee Maroons winning the game, an interview only Herb could give was held for the television audience! While in high school, Herb''s eye was caught by a classmate, Arline K. Tessier. Herb fell in love, and after a persistant courtship on Herb''s part, the couple were married on August 23, 1941 in Menominee. Later that year, WWII broke out, and Herb enlisted as an apprentice seaman with the U.S. Coast Guard. He became a Motor Machinist Mate First Class. Herb served on the USS Ricketts, a destroyer escort. The ship and crew served in the Atlantic on destroyer escort duty, making the dangerous Atlantic crossing thirteen times. When the war in Europe ended, Herb had only a week home before being called back to serve in the Pacific . Herb was honorably discharged on Nov. 7, 1945. Herb returned home to his family. He was employed by Marathon Paper Company as the boiler room supervisor until 1953. He then became a sales representative for W.R. Grace and Company, selling the company''s water treatment chemicals. During his sales career Herb represented his company in their Detroit, Indiana-Michigan, West Coast and Chicago districts. As a result, Arline and their four daughters moved around the country, living in Franklin and Jasper, Indiana, Kalamazoo, Portland,Oregon, and Rockford, Illinois. Herb retired from the company''s Chicago office in 1982. Herb loved his years working with W.R. Grace, and enjoyed good relationships with his customers. For example, one of his accounts was the Grand Trunk Railroad. They always invited Herb on their annual Grand Trunk Railroad Deer Hunting Trip. Herb was not a deer hunter, but enjoyed deer camp, where he became their very special and dedicated Deer Camp Chef! After retirement, Herb and Arline traveled the United States in their motor home, and then settled in Mesa, Arizona. While in Mesa, the couple were members of Holy Family Catholic Church, where they were active volunteers. They served as Eucharistic Ministers there. Herb was a valued volunteer at the St. Vincent DePaul Society, the Boys and Girls Club of Mesa, the East Valley Caring Corps (where he did everything from planting rose bushes to cooking meals to driving people to appointments and maintenance projects!). He was very proud of his second career as "paper boy" for the Mesa Tribune, servicing 400+ subscribers at the View Point RV Resort. When asked what was his guiding philosophy in life, Herb answered "Respect others and always try to be helpful!". He recalled his proudest moments in life as successfully raising four daughters and a female poodle! His personal hero was always his father. Herb was stern as a role model could be, a "bull headed German" by his own description. Herb and Arline decided they wanted to be closer to their family, so in 2005 they moved the Marshall from Mesa, and made their home in the Marshall House Apartments. Herb and Arline loved each and everyday in the community, and took part in many activities that Marshall had to offer. In particular, they supported their daughter Kathy''s pet project, "Relay For Life" each year. Herb created her team''s 100+ luminaries every year, plus taking all the pictures of the event! Herb was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, was a 50 year member of the Knights Of Columbus, and was a member of the Marshall Executive Club, where he made many friends. As a young man, Herb was an active member of the Sea Scouts in Menominee, where he skippered a boat for them. Later in life he volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America as a troop leader. Herb became the "official" Marshall House photographer. He helped start the pictorial directory for the residents. He loved the Marshall House residents, and they became part of Herb''s extended family. Herb and Arline were talented dance partners, enjoying square dancing, ball room dancing and swing dancing. They won prizes for their swing dancing style. He was a "N" Model Train enthusiast. Herb created a very detailed model train track that was kept in the family''s basement to enjoy. Herb''s beloved wife Arline preceded him in death on October 17 of 2006. Herb and his family were able to lovingly care for her in their home until her death. Surviving are his daughters and son-in-laws, Kathy and Ralph Miller of Marshall, Pat and Frank Thompson of Red Oak, Texas, Susan Beach and Richard White of Forest Park, IL, and Karen Fritz of Portland,OR; 9 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild; 3 sisters, Jane (Don) Hass of Menominee, Gladys Miller of Marinette, and Nancy (Clyde) Schuette of Suamico, WI; and nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by his parents, and his son-in-law, Ray Fritz. One of Herb''s dying wishes to his family, was that he be remembered as a good man. They all agree, that wish has always and will always be easily granted. Friends may call on Wednesday at the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home, where the family will be present to greet friends and share memories from 5PM to 8PM. A prayer service will be held at the funeral home Wednesday evening at 7PM. Funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Catholic Church on Thursday, Feb. 8, at 9:30A.M. with Rev. Stephen Naas officiating. Interment will follow with military honors at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to the Franke Center for The Arts or to the Knights of Columbus Scholarship Fund. Assistance with memorials is available at Kempf Funeral Home.
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