Richard "Dick" Hermens

Hermens, Richard 'Dick' 86 Jan. 22, 1925 June 03, 2011 Dick passed away peacefully at home sur-rounded by his family. Born in Sublimity to Adrian Hermens and Thelma Myers Hermens, he attended schools in Salem and Stayton. He graduated from Stayton High School in 1942 and went on for a year at Oregon State College. Dick joined the U.S. Navy ROTC and spent the following year in the Navy V-12 program at the University of Idaho. He received his Navy commission as Lieutenant (junior grade) from Columbia University at age 19 and served during World War II from 1943 to 1946. After discharge from the Navy post WWII, Dick returned to OSC to receive his Bachelor of Arts in 1948 and his Master of Arts in counseling in 1953. Education became his passion; he taught math at Pendleton High School from 1949 to 1960; and returned to the valley in 1960 and worked for the Beaverton School District for 25 years, teaching at Sunset High School and serving as Principal at Meadow Park, Highland Park, Mountain View and William Walker schools. After retirement he taught math at Valley Catholic High School for another seven years. Dick volunteered at St. Vincent de Paul and the Valley Catholic school complex, and was an active supporter of his fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha. Dick is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Swart Hermens; son, John; daughters, Cynthia Hermens Dvorchak (Rich) and Melissa Hermens; and grandsons, Stephen Dvorchak and Tyler Steele. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Corinne Ullman. A service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, 2011, at St. Pius X Church, 1280 N.W. Saltzman Road, Portland, OR 97229, with a reception following. Remembrances may be sent to the St. Vincent de Paul Society or to St. Vincent hospice. Arrangements by Springer and Son Aloha Funeral Home, 503-356-1000.