Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Herbert Kern Obituary
AGE: 77 • Boonton Township
LTC. H. Herbert Kern, 77, of Boonton Township, NJ, died Sunday, Sept. 4th, peacefully at home. Born on April 17, 1934 and raised in Brooklyn, NY, he met the love of his life Mary. They married and lived in Glendale, Queens until he and his young family moved to Boonton Twp., NJ in 1968. Herb was a graduate of Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute in 1956 with a BS in Aeronautical Engineering and later received his Masters in Industrial Engineering. He worked at Grumman and the US Navy developing defensive systems for the US Military. He then took a position with the Treasury Department and retired in 1999 as a Regional Manager of the Engineering Valuation Division of the IRS, Mountainside, NJ.
Herb served his country in the US Army Corp of Engineers 18th Engineering Brigade and later as an active reservist with the rank of Lieutenant in 1956 . He attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1976 and retired in 1999. Herb was an Assistant Cub Scout Master when living in Queens, a Judge for the Army for many years for the NYC Student Science Fair, an active volunteer with Deborah Heart and Lung Center, sang with the Mountain Lake Choir group, and served as an auxiliary police officer in Boonton Twp. In his retirement years he enjoyed woodworking, traveling, and participating in Karaoke, locally and internationally and had a following of fans who loved hearing his renditions of Frank Sinatra. He was also a member of the NRA and Shongum Sportsmans club.
Herb is survived by his wife Mary Rappa Kern of 55 years, two sons Larry of Denville and his wife Sandy and Ron of Oak Ridge and his wife Lorrie, and a daughter Donna Kern Degagne and husband Pierre of East Stroudsburg, PA. He is also missed very much by his three grandchildren, Matt, Mike and Chris Kern.
The family will be receiving visitors at 12 noon at King of Kings Lutheran Church on Route 46 Mountain Lakes NJ, Saturday September 10, 2011 with a memorial service being held at 1 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Deborah H&L, Wounded Warriors, woundedwarriorsproject.org in his name would be appreciated. We miss & love you Dad. Funeral Arrangements thru Norman Dean Home for Services Denville, NJ www.normandean.com, (please light a candle in memory of Herb on website).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Herbert Kern
Carol Dandrea
September 4, 2020
We still miss you...your lamp went out way too soon...
Mary Ann Hillsinger/Donegan
September 13, 2011
To Donna & Family. I will always remember Mr. Kern as a very kind and caring man. A man that loved his family and was NOT afraid to show it. I will always remember Mr. Kern holding Mrs. Kern's hand where ever they went and even know it has been many years since I have seen the Kern family I want you to know that Mr. Kern had a huge impact on me with his caring and loving ways....I will NEVER forget them or him. May Mr. Kern rest in peace and sing until we all get there to hear him and may all the family and many friends that he has keep Mr. Kern alive in their hearts as I'm sure he would appreciate that.
September 12, 2011
Dear Ron and family,
I am sorry to hear of your loss of your dad. My prayers are with you. Deepest sympathy, Debbie Nemerovich
The Broschart Family
September 9, 2011
Prayers to the Kern Family..
Jose & Sharon Ramirez
September 9, 2011
Dad Kern,
There is a bazillion reasons why you are so loved by so many.Your love for your family & friends, you are a first class, top shelf Husband and Dad. Your
fabulous singing voice, your hilarious sense of humor, your ability to make everything ok. Just to name a few.
We will forever treasure our time with you and Mom Mary, Donna & Pierre in Cancun Mexico. The time of our lives. In Las Vegas, The best Beer & Dinner at the Hofbräuhaus. At Harris Casino singing karaoke to all the fans you had there, one would of thought Frank himself was up on stage.You Hot Ticket you.
Jose and I are so distraught and sorry that we are unable to bid you farewell on Saturday with the family. So I am sending this message to heaven where you now call home. Unforgetable That's what you are..XXOO
September 9, 2011
Dear Mary and family,
We were so sorry to hear about Herb's passing. I am so glad we had the opportunity to see the both of you this month. Who knew it would be the last time we saw him.
We will always remember all the good times at New Year's Eve parties and get togethers at the Gaciala's. The cruise when Herb sang every night in the lounge.We enjoyed your visit when we moved to Florida.
Herb is someone we will always remember. God bless all of you.
Helen & Paul Larcom, Hobe Sound, Florida
Ron Kern
September 9, 2011
Love you Dad! You were always there for me. We will be there for Mom, dont you worry. Thanks to everyone.We love and will miss you. Thank you for giving me your sense of humor, I am often compared to you in that aspect.All that knew you were blessed!
Melissa Thompson
September 9, 2011
We will miss Herb so much. We loved spending the time with him at karoake. Mary, you both have a very special place in our hearts. We are thinking about you in our prayers always. Love always Melissa and Ryan Thompson
Melissa Thompson
September 8, 2011
We will miss Herb so much. We loved spending the time with him at karoake. Mary, you both have a very special place in our hearts. We are thinking about you in our prayers always. Love always Melissa and Ryan Thompson
Melissa Thompson
September 8, 2011
Oh we will miss Herb so much. We will always cherish the times with him at karoake. He will always be in our hearts. Mary, your husband was a great man and such a great person to talk to. He always made me laugh. We love you both. Love always Melissa and Ryan Thompson
September 8, 2011
Our prayers will be with you and the Kern family.
Laura Westenberger-Ryan and family.
Gretchen Helle
September 8, 2011
My sincerest condolences on the passing of Mr. Herb. He always had a smile, a kind word, and a hug for those who knew him. He will be greatly missed. God bless and be with you all at this time and always.
Carol Dandrea
September 8, 2011
Dear Herb, We miss you already..I will miss those weekend phone calls with you and Mary until one or all of us fell asleep on the phone..I still have that little wooden box you brought to Florida when you and Mary visited here. You were so good to Adam in the Army..giving us reassurance he would be OK..how did you know that? You and Mary were a large part of our lives and we will always cherish the laughs and all the memories...Fare thee well,Herb..you and Mary are our Forever Friends...May God Bless You and you be sure to ask where they keep the karioke machine as all of Heaven is in for a real treat..we love you Herb..The Dandrea Family from FLorida/
September 8, 2011
I was so sorry to hear about the "passing" of Mr. Kern. A fantastic neighbor, always with a smiling face--I'd often meet him and his wife Mary around town at the Post Office, the stationary store, etc. His warm prescence will be missed greatly around town and also on Miller Drive.
Laura Cobrinik
Alisa Graham
September 8, 2011
Miss you Poppy...
Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results
Make a Donation
in Herbert Kern's name
Memorial Events
for Herbert Kern
How to support Herbert's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Herbert Kern's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
