Herman J. Hammerbeck
Herman J. Hammerbeck passed away quietly on Friday morning, August 14, 2020, at New Perspective in Superior at the grand old age of 101.
He was born in Grandy, MN, on January 5, 1919, and was a lifelong resident of Superior since 1929. He graduated from Superior Central High School in 1937.
Herman honorably served in the Army Air Force Aviation Engineers in Africa and Italy during World War II, earning 3 Battle Stars.
He was the owner and operator of Silver Tonsberg for 40 years. He was a very civic minded citizen serving as director of the Northwest Wisconsin Concentrated Employment Program, the Planning Council for Wisconsin, Jaycees, United Fund and the Chamber of Commerce. A lifelong member and former President of the Lions Club, Herman received the Melvin Jones Fellowship which is the highest honor achievable from the Lion’s International.
As one of the founders of the Superior Amateur Hockey Association, he served as president, treasurer, and coached many local rink teams and won several state championships coaching Peewee all star teams. He spearheaded the drive to install the first indoor artificial ice complex in Superior. When the weather warmed in the summer, Herman helped organize the first Superior Little League and coached the Dodgers to several league titles while his sons were playing.
He was a lifelong Minnesota Twins fan, watching all 162 games each year. Much to the chagrin of his sons, relatives, and neighbors, he avidly rooted for the Minnesota Vikings. Growing up as a lefthander, he learned to golf right-handed with a cross handed grip. He enjoyed playing Nemadji Golf Course and he played until the age of 92. He was able to shoot his age countless times in his 80’s and 90’s.
Herman married Kathryn A. Nelson on December 13, 1941, in Brainerd, MN. They were married for 74 glorious years.
Upon their retirement, they spent 20 winters as snowbirds in Phoenix. During the summer, they spent their time at their beautiful summer cabin on Whitefish near Gordon. Herman and Kay built this remarkable getaway from the ground up starting in 1950. Kathryn passed away on February 23, 2016 in Superior
He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Wilhelmina Hammerbeck; brothers, Karl, Glen, and John; sisters, Alta Moe, Elizabeth Morton Melhus, and Margaret Doig; and infant granddaughter, Kristen Hammerbeck.
Herman is survived by his sons, Bruce (Susan) and Paul (Marilyn) Hammerbeck; grandchildren, Christopher Hammerbeck, Heidi (Mark) Marin, Lisa Jewson, and Kristen (William) Brewster; great-grandchildren, Eve, Cecelia, Christopher, and Caroline Jewson, and Isabella and Kaia Brewster.
A celebration of life for the family will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Superior Amateur Hockey Association.
Downs Funeral Home, 1617 N 19th Street, is assisting the family with arrangements. To leave an online condolence, please go to www.downsfh.com