Herbert W. Breitbach

Herbert W. Breitbach Battle Creek Herbert W. Breitbach, 79, of Battle Creek died at home on Sunday, November 7, 2010. He was born December 6, 1930, in Wiesbaden, Germany to Willi and Elizabeth (Fischer) Breitbach. Herb grew up in Wiesbaden, where he started in the travel business in 1948, working for American Express. In 1953, he immigrated to the United States, serving two years with the U.S. Army, received his citizenship and then worked for Elliott Travel in Detroit. In 1958, he came to Battle Creek to serve as manager of Ermisch Travel. Herb purchased Ermisch Travel in 1963; moved it to its present location 26-28 E. Michigan Avenue (the former Gas Company building) and operated the business until retiring in 1995. His daughters continue to run Ermisch Travel, with the same unselfish service and special attention they saw their father give his customers. Herb loved his customers and the travel business and he always made you feel like you were his only client. On November 1, 1994, Herb married Marge Kyvig. Surviving are his wife, Marge; two daughters, Christa (Ken) Chapman of Charlotte and Stephanie Breitbach of Battle Creek; a son, Michael (Michelle Frew-Medley) Breitbach of Battle Creek; Marge's son, Michael (Kathy) Anderson of Massachusetts; five grandchildren, Atlee McFellin, Lily and Lena Breitbach, Wilber and Henning Anderson; and his former wife and the mother of his children, Inge Breitbach of Battle Creek. Herb was preceded in death by a son, Fred Breitbach on September 8, 2005; his sister, Hannelore Breitbach; and his parents. Herb was a member of Rotary Club, International Club, the former Traffic Club and attended Trinity United Methodist Church for 20 years. He was a volunteer for Junior Achievement, Visitor and Convention Bureau, United Way, International Festival of Lights, Taste of Battle Creek and many other civic activities. For many years, he was involved in "Volkstrauertag", A Day of German National Mourning at the former Post Cemetery at Ft. Custer, which later became Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Herb enjoyed reading and read the German newspapers and articles his sister sent him from his homeland. He loved his family, taught them the family travel business; and introduced them to football, auto racing, soccer, cooking and the opera. At the request of the family, friends may call after 4:00 p.m. Thursday at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home, where they will be received 4:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral services to celebrate Herb's life will be officiated by Pastor Bruce Kintigh at the funeral home 9:30 a.m. Friday, November 12, 2010. Military honors and interment will follow at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Altrusa Club, P.O. Box 861, Battle Creek, MI 49016-0861. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.