Thorwald Herbert

Thorwald Herbert, 70, died July 20, 2007, at his home in Albemarle County. He was born July 13, 1937, in Thueringen, Germany. Dr. Herbert received his Diplom in Physics from the University of Goettingen in 1963, the Dr.-Ing. in Mechanical Engineering from the University Karlsruhe in 1974, and the Dr.-Ing. habil. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Stuttgart in 1978. He came to the United States in 1980, as a Visiting Professor at Virginia Tech and then accepted a position there as Professor in the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics. In 1987, he moved to Ohio State University where he was a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. In his professional life he was internationally recognized for his research in fluid mechanics. In 2002, he retired as Professor Emeritus from OSU and returned to Virginia to fulfill his dream of living and working on a farm. He had five happy and productive years at his Sonnenberg Farm. In addition to his cattle, he grew vegetables and fruit which he sold to local restaurants and at the Greene County and Charlottesville City farmers' markets. Surviving are his wife of 15 years, Charlotte Richardson Herbert and four children, Thorwald Herbert, Jr., Holger Herbert, Iris Houlihan and Kay Herbert. A graveside service was held July 23, in the Garden of the Good Shepherd at Holly Memorial Gardens. Ryan Funeral Home, Quinque, was in charge of arrangements.