Herman Carpenter

Herman B. Carpenter HICKORY - Herman Bernard Carpenter, 97, died Oct. 10, 2008. Mr. Carpenter was born Aug. 18, 1911, at his home place in Linville Falls, N.C., to the late Dorothy Wiseman Carpenter and Charles Burgin Carpenter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Suttlemyre Carpenter and son, Robert William Carpenter. Mr. Carpenter designed university and medical school laboratory furniture for the Southern Desk Company, and also had a private consulting company that designed interior layouts for architectural firms, including Frank Lloyd Wright. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the Army Air Corps where he was a liaison pilot and a control tower operator. He owned several airplanes throughout his life and spent many a day at the Hickory Airport. Mr. Carpenter was an avid hunter and frequently was seen at Bulls Eye Gun shop in Vale, N.C. He is survived by two daughters, Margaret "Peggy" Harwood of Virginia Beach and Nancy C. Zechella of Athens, Ga.; a sister, Dorothy C. Shell of Newton, N.C.; four grandchildren, Carol Harwood Jacob of Chesapeake, Robert L. Harwood of Virginia Beach, Alexander Carpenter Zechella of Wolf Creek, Mont., Elizabeth Bary Zechella of New York City; and four great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at Bass Smith Funeral Home, Hickory, Sunday from 5 to 6 p.m. A private funeral will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Patrick Beaver Memorial Library, 375 3rd St. NE, Hickory, NC 28601 or Catawba County Wildlife Club, 1175 S. Brady Ave., Newton, NC 28658. Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com.