Robert B. Herman

Robert B. “Bob” Herman, 76, of Stevensville, formerly of Arlington, VA, passed away at his home, Friday, March 1, 2013, after a long illness. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2013, from 4 – 5:30 p.m. at the Phoenix of Benton Harbor, 124 Water St., Benton Harbor. Private graveside services with full military honors will be held at a later date at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois. Memorial donations may be made to the Benton Harbor-Sunrise Rotary Foundation or Southern Poverty Law Center. Those wishing to sign Bob’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Bob was born July 17, 1936 in Bronx, NY. He graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and received his BA from Hunter College of the City University of NY. He also attended NYU, George Washington University and MIT for post graduate work in law and economics. Bob served his country in the U.S. Army on active duty from 1959 until his honorable discharge in 1965, stationed in Germany for a portion of that time. Bob’s career spanned over 35 years with the Federal Government in Washington, D.C., much of that in the Senior Executive Service. During his tenure, he was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education for Special Education and Rehabilitation Services where he was recognized as one of the key drafters and advocates for the landmark Public Law 94-142, the Education of All Handicapped Children Act of 1975. Bob played a major role in the effective administration of the law which benefited millions of children. Later, he served as principal liaison for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency between the Department of Justice and EPA regional offices on Superfund settlements. Upon his retirement, Bob and his wife moved to Stevensville where he was active with the Michigan Senior Advocate Council as a representative of the Region IV for Area Agency on Aging, the Benton Harbor-Sunrise Rotary Club and the Berrien County Democratic Party. Bob is survived by his wife of 24 years, Molly Mannon; his children-Andrew Herman & Anne Herman Fletcher, both of Chevy Chase, MD; step-children-Sarah Mannon Hanly of Chicago, IL & Susan Mannon McDermott of Sacramento, CA; eight grandchildren; and his brother Howard W. Herman of San Juan Capistrano, CA.