Charles M. Herbek

Charles M. Herbek

Charles M. Herbek, 88, of Charlottesville, Virginia, passed away on Friday, October 29, 2010.

He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 60 years, Olga G. Herbek; two sons, Charles Michael Herbek and his wife, Cheri, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and David G. Herbek of Ashburn, Virginia; and a sister, Anne Hartman and her husband, John, of Port Orange, Florida; five grandchildren, Michael, Mathew, Laura Anne, David John and Katie; two great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A resident of Charlottesville for last 18 years, Mr. Herbek was born in New York City.

He served in the United States Navy during World War II. A member of first crew (Plank Holder) of the USS Hornet CV-12, he was selected to attend Naval ROTC at the University of Virginia prior to entering combat in the Pacific theatre. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 1946, having been elected President of the College. After graduation he was commissioned a Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corp. After his service, he returned to New York and joined the New York City Police Department in 1947. He was awarded the NYPD Medal of Valor for bravery in 1948. He attended City College of New York and earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration in 1962.

He retired from the New York Police Department in 1964 and began a second career in Educational Publishing where he held a variety sales and executive positions including Director, International Marketing for CBS Publishing. He moved to Bridgewater Township, New Jersey in 1967 and resided there for the next 27 years. While living in New Jersey, he became active in community affairs and local politics. Besides his work on behalf of the Somerset County Republicans he was a long serving member of the township's Board of Adjustment. In 1992, after 25 years of service, he received the first Bridgewater Mayor's Award for that dedicated service and his expert contributions to the management of the growth of the township in the late 60's, 70's and early 80's.

He moved to Charlottesville in 1993 and again was active in the community especially with the University's Miller Center of Public Affairs. Throughout his life Mr. Herbek and his wife were frequent travelers. In retirement they traveled the world from the South Pacific to Russia and the Great Wall of China having visited six continents among the many countries and numerous cities. Mr. Herbek never gave up his love for the sea and would travel by ship whenever possible. He was fortunate enough to have sailed the breadth of both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Friends may call at the Teague Funeral Home from 6 until 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 2, 2010.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Charlottesville, 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 3, 2010. Interment will be 2 p.m. Thursday, November 4, 2010, at Quantico National Cemetery in Quantico, Virginia, with military honors.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donation be made to The Christopher Center at Our Lady of Peace Retirement Community in Charlottesville.

Friends may sign the guest register at teaguefuneralhome.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.