Nathan Roger Herendeen

(GASPORT) Nathan Roger Herendeen, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and esteemed agronomist, passed away on Thursday, October 2nd, 2025, at the age of 83, in Kenmore Mercy Hospital. Born on May 14th, 1942, in Canandaigua, New York, Nate’s life was a testament to dedication, family, and community service. 

Nate earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Cornell University, fueling a prolific career as an agronomist and agriculturalist with Cornell Cooperative Extension in Western New York for 39 plus years. For the remainder of his life, he then worked as a Crops Consultant for the Western New York Crop Management Association, impacting countless farmers and agricultural initiatives. 

Throughout his life, Nate was deeply committed to innumerable community, agricultural, and professional organizations. As an involved member of Covenant United Church of Christ, he served in many leadership capacities. His connection to Cornell continued as he served on the Cornell College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Alumni Association, as a Past President as well as a member. Exemplifying his leadership and team building skills, he took on several roles with the National Association of County Agricultural Agents, including being the Chairman for NYS for the NACAA’s national conventions in 1981 and 2005, which hosted multitudes of ag agents and their families from around the country. Other organizations to experience his leadership and dedication to service were the Royalton-Hartland Central School Board of Education, the 4-H Sponsors of Niagara County, the North Farmington Friends Cemetery Association Board and countless other boards. With the strong belief and commitment of service to others, Nathan was an active member and Past Grand Patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, State of New York. He was also an active member, secretary and past Master of the Gasport Lodge #787 F&AM. 

Nate is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 61 years, Burniece Sadler Herendeen; his daughters, Cynthia Herendeen of Queens and Marcia (Chi) Nguyen of the UK; his son-in-law, Steven Hawk of Florida; his cherished grandchildren, Julia and Natalie Sapienza and Minh and Tai Nguyen; his brother, Stanley (Karen Palmer) Herendeen of Rochester; his sisters-in-law, Emma Herendeen of Maryland and Joanne Herendeen of Texas; his sister-in-law, Evelyn Sadler (late Harry Sadler) of Farmington; brother-in-law, James (Sharon) Sadler of Florida. He leaves behind dozens of cousins, nieces, nephews, and colleagues who will remember him fondly.

He was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Leora (Allen) Herendeen, his daughter, Deborah Herendeen Hawk; his son-in-law, Joseph Sapienza; and his siblings, Allen, George, James, Margaret Hartsough, Alice Brouse, Charles, Richard, and Clarence. 

The family will receive friends at the Sherrie-Bream Funeral Home, 4521 Main Street, Gasport, on Friday, October 10 from 4 PM to 8 PM. Family and friends are invited to share Nathan’s life during a Funeral Service at the Covenant United Church of Christ, 4449 Main Street, Gasport, on Saturday, October 11 at 11 AM. Interment will be held on Monday, October 13 at 1 PM at the North Farmington Friends Cemetery, Farmington. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Masonic Medical Research Institute, 2150 Bleecker Street, Utica, NY 13501 or The OES Hall and Home Foundation, 1400 Utica Street, Oriskany, NY 13424. To share a special memory of Nate, please visit www.mitchellfamilyfuneralhomes.com. 

Nate’s legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and the indelible mark he left on his community. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.