Douglas P. Herr

1935 - 2017

Douglas P. Herr

Naples, FL

Douglas Paul Herr passed away at his home in Naples FL surrounded by his loving family on November 16, 2017 due to complications of Lewy Body Dementia. Doug was born July 1, 1935 in Wishek ND, the only child of Gideon and Madeline Herr. He completed a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting with Distinguished Honors from the University of Minnesota.

Doug met Grace Forss on a blind date in Chicago arranged by friends. They married 6 months later on August 30, 1958 and recently celebrated 59 years together. The Herrs lived in Evanston, Rolling Meadows, and then Arlington Heights in IL where Doug was a CPA at Arthur Andersen & Company. They were blessed with 4 children, a son followed by 3 daughters: Scott, Suzy, Nancy & Kristy. In 1969, the family moved to Danville IL where Doug became the CFO of Hurletron, then Altair Corporation.

In 1973, he resigned his position to help expand the retail craft store started by Grace. The business took off and the retail store developed into a major wholesale distributor of art & craft supplies and a publishing company of "how-to" craft books, Herr's Inc. & Herr Publications. During this time, Doug served as a director & president of the Midwest Craft & Hobby Association and on the Board of Directors of several banks including the Palmer National Bank. Although working long hours, he was a loyal fan of the University of Illinois football/basketball teams and later enjoyed many weekends with family and friends at their houseboat on Lake Shelbyville in IL.

After selling Herr's Inc. in 1985, they retired to Marco Island FL. Doug and Grace sponsored the construction of many homes through Habitat for Humanity. They were also instrumental in starting the Guadalupe After School Program for children of migrant workers, receiving special recognition on their Wall of Honor. A passion for supporting education began when Doug instituted "Dollars for Scholars" at his Wishek ND high school. Over the next 45 years, the Herrs left a legacy of contributing to many schools, individual students and charities to help people achieve their dreams for education and a safe home.

Doug was a longtime member of Marco Island Lutheran Church and Hideaway Beach. He loved to play tennis, go fishing, watch sports, and play cards, particularly pinochle in intense family competitions. His weekly poker game was a much anticipated and enjoyed event. Tragically, all of these pleasures and many more including driving, reading, walking, and communicating were lost during his brave 5 year battle with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). LBD, a brain disorder and progressive multi-system disease, affects over a million individuals and their families often going undiagnosed as its symptoms closely resemble Alzheimers and Parkinsons.

Doug always considered his 4 children to be his greatest achievement and cherished the blessing of time spent together at annual family vacations. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gideon & Madeline Herr, and his good friends, Bob Lisbon & Norm Matson. He is survived by his loving wife, Grace, his children Scott Herr & wife Yvonne, Suzy Riesterer & husband Jim, Nancy Churchwell & husband Randy, Kristy Bartos & husband Jerry, and his grandchildren Adam Riesterer, Jenna Herr Adams, McKinley Churchwell, Alex Riesterer, Becky Herr & Hanna Churchwell.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 4000 Royal Marco Way, Marco Island on Tuesday, November 21 from 3:00-5:30 pm. A memorial page where memories, condolences, photos, and videos may be shared can be found at beachwoodsociety.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA), 912 Killian Hill Road SW, Lilburn GA 30047 (www.lbda.org)

Guadalupe Center (After School Program), 509 Hope Circle, Immokalee FL 34142

Habitat for Humanity of Collier County, 11145 Tamiami Trail East, Naples FL 34113

Cremation has been entrusted to The Beachwood Cremation Society, 4444 Tamiami Trail N., Naples (239)261-1767.