Nahum Hersom

Nahum Greenwood Hersom April 14, 1918 - April 1, 2011 Nahum Greenwood Hersom, "GRANDPA" as he was known to all that knew him, passed away at Good Samaritan Home in Boise, Idaho on April 1st, 2011. His eldest son, Charles Nahum Hersom Sr. was at his bedside. Nahum was born in Wilmington, Delaware on 14 April 1918 to George and Edith Hersom. His sister, Helen, joined the family later. They spent most of their early childhood together in Wisconsin and Chicago. Nahum became a Boy Scout, attained the rank of Eagle Scout, and later become a Scout Leader. It was during this time that, Nahum became interested in Native American Lore and Legend from a neighboring Winnebago tribe. In his early adulthood Nahum's love of the ocean would prompt him to skin dive and hunt for Abalone. He later served his country in WW II as a Navy Seabee in the US and Guam. After his military service ended, Nahum worked at Lockheed Aircraft in California as Machinist and welder. He later met and married his wife of over 55 years, Melba Tippie. The Hersom family was blessed with 3 boys; Charles Nahum, James Paul, and John Michael. In 1950, the family moved to Gridley, CA, and then settled in Chico, CA in 1954. Then again in 1975, Nahum and Melba Hersom moved to Boise, Idaho. Nahum worked for and retired from Amalgamated Sugar in Nampa, Idaho. Best known for his blacksmithing and repuosse art metal work, Nahum was an internationally recognized master in his craft. A Governor's Awards in the Arts recipient in 2008, Nahum was featured in several articles in the local paper and on the local news. Grandpa, as he was commonly known, held workshops to teach his craft to students from all parts of the world and held critical acclaim from ABANA. (Artist Blacksmiths Association of North America) His artwork is featured at the Idaho Botanical Gardens, in the Muriel & Diana Kirk English Garden as the wrought iron and copper weather vane. Nahum followed his wife in passing, Melba, and is survived by his sister, Helen Dye, his three sons, seven grandchildren; Marie Nichole, Charles Nahum Jr., Marshall Greenwood, James Seth, Jeanette Helen, Mindllae Kim, and Dennis John Kelly, more than twenty great grandchildren and one great great grandson. There will be a family only private service for their beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather, and mentor. Written by Charles Jr. and Charles N. Hersom, Sr.