Joseph Hermann's Obituary
Celebrating the life of Joseph J. Hermann
Joseph J. “Buzz” Hermann, 85, of Puyallup ascended to the heavens on February 22, 2014 in Tacoma, WA. Born May 20th, 1928 in St. Paul, MN, to Gustav and Junette (Peterson) Herrmann, he was the youngest of seven children whom all have preceded him in death. His father’s employment with the Burlington Northern railroad brought the family to Tacoma, WA, where Joe graduated from Lincoln High School and spent the balance of his life.
As a young man, he proudly and without hesitation, answered the call to serve his country by joining the Marines, doing a tour in Hawaii, and eventually later joining the Air Force. While in the Air Force, he was accepted to pilot training school at Waco, TX. Unfortunately due to ear drum complications from his youth; his pilot training days became limited. Upon the end of the war, Joe chose to leave the military and was honorably discharged for his faithful and impeccable service. A natural born “contributor”, Joe wanted to continue his ambition of being a provisionary and became a Washington State Trooper. He swore to an oath and wore the police uniform, like that of his military years, with distinction for the next 30 years. Prior to his police cadet training, he met the “one and only” love of his life, Lorna Griffin of Fife, WA. They united in eternal love and companionship on July, 14th, 1951 at the Visitation Church, Tacoma, WA.
Proud parents of four children, Joe and Lorna bestowed unconditional love, support and guidance to each and everyone them, every time. As a young, newly wedded couple starting a family, they were faced with the usual triumphs and tribulations of everyday life. Working countless and erratic hours, juggling the schedules of two different occupations, changing dirty diapers, feeding hungry mouths at all hours of the night, tending to crying kids with earaches, painting bedrooms and bathrooms, mowing lawns, doing laundry, packing lunches and mending buttons all the while making pennies to the dollar, they compelled to make ends meet and made it look easy. Joe loved taking his adorned travel trailer, “Shasta”, yes with the wings, and eventually his “Terry” with dual tandem axles, he loved bragging about that, and his family to the beach, Ocean Shores, Pacific Beach, Moclips or Tokeland, for a weekend of clam digging, sand castle making, campfires and burnt pancakes. The coast was the families escape from everyday stress. Upon his retirement in1982 from the Washington State Patrol as a Detachment Sergeant, Tacoma District, he continued in a law enforcement capacity with working roles as: Command Center Security Specialist, O’Neill Security, Atlantic Richfield Company, Prudhoe Bay, AK; Lead Investigator, State of Nevada, Pharmacy Board, Reno, NV; and as a Gate Security Specialist, Puyallup Fair, Puyallup, WA. Post retirement from a multitude of employments, he loved “snowbird” ing with his lovely wife to beautiful Arizona, enjoying softball, tennis, arts and crafts, swimming, gardening, lounging in the sun, BBQ’ing and sharing stories and laughs with the numerous friends they befriended within their community. It was well known that morning coffee with his bride was the start of his purpose. He always said, “Everyday the good lord allows me to wake up and see my “bunkmate”, he had a dry sense of humor, over a cup of mud, is another day from heaven”. Eventually they both remained in the North West, on a permanent basis, to be closer to their children, their families and most of all, their grandchildren.
There was never a moment in question as to where we stood in his mind; “you” were his life. A gentle giant, Joe was an extraordinary husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, father-in-law and human being respectively. He could meet a perfect stranger in any capacity and leave having gained a new friend. An avid Washington Husky fan, he cheered his team to victory, supported them during defeat and looked for promise for the future. The same way he felt about anything or anyone he came in contact with. He truly placed those ideals before him and never judged based on assumptions. It was natural for him to reach out, provide encouragement and take nothing in return, but mental perseverance. He was man of immense strength, physically and emotionally, as he had to endure many moments of pain and weakness, in the near weeks and days of his passing, yet he ALWAYS told us he was OK as not to upset anyone. Joe encompassed kindness, love, gratitude, well being, support and acceptance among all of those he became in acquaintance with. He was a man of honor, dignity and overall goodness. It was his belief that God's grace lasts to the end of somebody's life if that person has maintained his or her good works and faith. An important life lesson he has passed down to his family: Patience and perseverance. It is very clear; his most treasured possessions were his family and his spouse. Joe leaves with him a generation that vows to continue to live out his legacy. He will forever be missed by those he influenced, mentored, loved and admired.
He leaves behind: His cornerstone and life companion, Lorna, of an amazing 63 years of unfaltering, everlasting and passionate love; Four children: Daughter, Debra Wiggins (Dr. Robert Wiggins) of Puyallup, WA; Son, Steven Hermann of Madison, WI; Son, David Hermann (Jenifer) of Lakewood, WA and Son, Douglas Hermann (Dana) of Port Orchard, WA. Four grandchildren: Jamie Hermann, mother Terrie Racca (Mike), of Tacoma, WA; Whitney Wiggins (Gary Lagerstrom) of Bonney Lake, WA; Olivia and Griffin Hermann (Douglas Hermann) of Port Orchard, WA. In addition to, he leaves behind: Nieces, Nephews, In-laws and countless friends.
The family has chosen to conduct a private memorial service in honor of him at a later date. Your remembrances, thoughts and stories are always welcomed online.
The family wishes to thank each and every one of you that prayed, comforted, cried and loved him during his final moments among us.
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