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Colin O. Hermans

1936 - 2024

BORN

1936

DIED

2024

About

Sonoma State University University of California| Berkeley University of Washington

Colin Hermans Obituary

Colin O. Hermans
May 4, 1936 - January 11, 2024
The Hermans Family is sad to announce the passing of our father, Colin O. Hermans, on January 11, 2024, at his home in Friday Harbor, Washington. Born in Seattle on May 4, 1936, to Eslie Vida Olmsted Hermans and Thomas Gerald Hermans, Colin played football and ran track in high school and then attended Pomona College (Class of 1958) with a major in biology. He married Mary Hayden Hermans, whom he had met in first-year English. He served in the artillery in the Army Reserves and received his PhD in zoology from the University of Washington in 1965 after Mary typed his PhD thesis on an old Underwood manual typewriter (the big black kind).

He received a NATO fellowship to the University of Newcastle in 1965, and then served a two-year post-doctoral fellowship at the University of California at Berkeley before settling into a teaching job at Sonoma State University where he taught various biology classes and electron microscopy. He received an Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship in 1975 to work at the University of Goettingen on a paper describing a duo-gland adhesive system used in some small animals to stick and unstick themselves from things. His interest in science never diminished, as he documented observations about animals around him and shared those observations enthusiastically with curious friends and family.

He and Mary raised three children in Rohnert Park, California, Karen, Tom, and Helen. Colin spent many summers at the Friday Harbor Laboratories in Friday Harbor, Washington, and when it came time for him to retire, he and Mary moved permanently to San Juan Island. Colin nursed Mary through a prolonged illness with cancer and multiple sclerosis before her death in 2007.

Known by his students for his sense of humor and ruthless grading practices, and by his friends for his unflagging loyalty and friendship, Colin succumbed to the complications of dementia in his final years. He died peacefully, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his children, Helen, Tom and Karen, his children-in-law, Gina and Paul, and his grandchildren Allyson and JT.

No services are planned but the family may hold a small gathering later this year.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Press Democrat on Jan. 19, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Colin Hermans

24 Entries

Susan Madden

January 11, 2026

I knew Colin when I worked at the San Historical Museum and the U of W Labs in Friday Harbor had an exhibit there.
And I met Mary, Colin's wife, through my Mum who volunteered at the Friday Harbor Library with my Mum, Pat Madden.
I feel blessed to have known such a wonderful, intelligent and kind couple.
Susan Madden

Allison Brown

January 15, 2025

I was saddened to hear that Dr. Hermans passed away. I have many fond memories of him, as a student in his electron microscopy class and adjunct lab instructor for his Bio lecture. I will never forget witnessing him run down the central corridor of the auditorium in his Super ATP-Man costume, much to the bewilderment of his students. He was a super man and will surely be missed.

Pat and John Nelson

September 17, 2024

Haiku Memories from Pat and John Nelson

Three days on Stewart
Colin, Mary, Pat, John, all
Twenty years married

From Bodega Bay
To sea, Alciope sails,
full; Yikes! planing in

Rafting Kern River
Group: Hermans, Johnsons, Nelsons
Karen leads; great fun

New Years Eve camping
Grand Canyon; Hermans, Nelsons
Less 10; champagne froze

Sending memories and love,
Pat and John Nelson

Anna Schieck

July 23, 2024

How appropriate to plant trees in Colin's memory; I have seen him shimmy up a tree more than once. Such memories of him make me smile, and brought laughter to Mary too!
Anna Schieck

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Robert Nordhausen

April 25, 2024

I just became aware of the passing of a very important person in my life. Colin Hermans was my professor, mentor and longtime friend. Colin taught me the basics of biological electron microscopy that led to my career as an electron microscopist - I will be eternally grateful for his mentorship and friendship. My time at Sonoma State coincided with Colin's work on his literature review annelid reproduction. An enormous project and review of almost 700 citations. His work ethic was the best example of leadership from the front for a young man studying biology and attempting to figure out life.

Colin loved boats, Puget Sound, telling stories about his father's, Thomas G. Hermans, mountaineering adventures as a guide on Mt. Rainer. May Colin's children and beloved grandchildren know he was a man admired and loved by many including myself.

Dave Laurice

April 17, 2024

For 30 years I have periodically checked in on Dr. Hermans. I had to take Biology twice...first time did not take, second time thankfully did, because I got to meet Dr. Hermans when I switched my major (ok...it really stuck second time).
I had the pleasure of taking Aquatic Invertebrates and my notebook is still a great treasure (my first major was art) that I have shared with 28 years of students. I learned the natural history of just about every animal we could find on those trips to the coast. I also learned that "the toughest and coolest guys come from Washington" and that "Vitamin O" was the only beer worth drinking.
I had so much fun hanging out with Doc and riding out to the coast in the van (always in his overalls with the Bondurrant School of Racing patch) that I decided to do it again and work his labs with him for the next semester.
I remember him half-running down the beach at Campbell Cove before his hip (because he might not ever do it again), and the dead run he did after his hip was replaced.
When it was time to sign off my waiver for the school of ed, he said "no...that is a conflict of interest." Hardest test I have ever taken, but he had faith in me and knew I would pass it. I did.
Anyway- huge loss for all involved and my sincerest condolences. He was a great man, and in 28 years I have not had a student who does not know all of my funny Dr, Hermans stories. He left an indelible impression on me. Thanks Doc. Rest easy my friend.

Sara Lindsay

March 25, 2024

Dear Karen, Tom & Helen,

I am so very sorry to have recently learned that your father passed away. It was my great pleasure to reconnect with him when I was conducting research at FHL, many years after we all spent glorious summer days enjoying all that is special about the lab community and San Juan Island. A childhood memory of enjoying his specially spiced & grilled "Colin burgers" comes to mind right now, followed closely by memories of lovely conversations later in my career about polychaete sensory biology (especially eyes), microscopy, and science education. He was generous with his time and knowledge, and I deeply appreciated it. I am so very sorry for your loss.

Phil Swab

March 17, 2024

So sorry to hear of Colin´s passing. I met Colin in the early 80´s when I started my first job at Optical Coating Lab Inc. (OCLI). I was right out of grad school and needed access to equipment that was not available at OCLI. I´d learned that SSU had a biology program that used ultramicrotomes to cut very thin slices of biological materials, using glass and diamond knives, to prepare very thin samples for electron microscope analysis. I admit my idea was wacky, but I called Colin and told him I wanted to use his ultramicrotome to cut very thin slices of very hard materials, like glass and diamond. He liked my idea and let me use his ultramicrotome, under the condition that I buy my own diamond knives. In a short period of time, I was slicing thin cross-sections of multi-layer coatings that had been deposited on thick glass substrates. Eventually we were cutting thin cross-sections of diamond and carbide coatings to evaluate nucleation kinetics of hard materials. It was a big deal to be successful in your first project on your first job. But, it was only possible, because of Colin´s ability to see what was possible, when others could not. Later, thanks to Colin, I was able to solve a few microscope optics problems for some of his friends out at the Bodega Marine lab.
Thank you Colin Hermans, RIP.
Phil Swab

Karen Johnson Cohoe

February 19, 2024

Colin was my first (now deceased) husband Alvin Johnson´s good friend and roommate at Pomona. He and Mary set up the blind date for Alvin and me. He and Mary were a delightful couple, with interesting ideas. He was fond of the wild turkey´s by his house, and had a "nursery" for slugs in his home. Forever the biologist. He will be missed.

Donna Hardesty Smith

Planted Trees

Daniel

January 30, 2024

Colin was my general Zoology professor in 1974 @ "Sonoma State" and my biology major counselor. He was friendly, engaging, sincere, and empathetic and an Excellent instructor and true scientist. He'd have a end of the semester class bash at his owe home in RP, that's the kind of guy he was. He'd talk to me about his days on Friday Harbor in Puget Sound. Guess he went to England right after '74. I didn't know him well but I liked him. A real gentleman and genuine good soul.

Nathan Rank

January 22, 2024

I heard the sad news of Colin's passing today. Colin was a mentor and friend to me, and he interviewed me for my current position at Sonoma State in 1995. I remember Colin as kind, funny, and dedicated to his students, colleagues, and his discipline. He was an integrative biologist, knowing the natural history of his study organisms and curious about how they worked. He inspired me to teach students about the incredible diversity of organisms and how they live. He also spoke German, and I fondly remember a dinner with my in-laws who only spoke German and Colin and Mary seemed to have a great time even though it must have been a strenuous few hours of conversation. I thought about Colin a few weeks ago when I visited Seattle for a conference that covered topics that would surely have interested him, and wish I had checked in with him then.

Bill Crowley

January 22, 2024

A great guy and a first-class scholar.

Sherry Tamone

January 21, 2024

I was so sorry to hear of Colin Herman's passing. I met Colin while teaching at Sonoma State University and from him I learned the meaning of a great teacher and mentor. We used to talk about effective teaching as well as about invertebrates. He wrote me the kindest letter of recommendation for a job in Alaska, which I was offered and accepted, and we kept in touch over the years. I remember when he and Mary moved to Friday Harbor and sadly only visited them one time during a sabbatical at FHL. He was such a lovely man! Thank you Colin for being such a great mentor to me.

Bill and Mary Kivett

January 21, 2024

Mary and I so enjoyed knowing Colin and Mary both personally and professionally when she was with P and B. Their presence in this world enhanced ours and others'. Their natural natural joyousness and enthusiasm was inspirational. Thank you both for being amongst us for so long.

Bill and Mary Kivett

Mario Pamatmat

January 20, 2024

Farewell, my dear friend, my model of an Epicurean life well lived. Thank you for all the good memories of our intertwined lives. May Karen and Ally, Helen, Paul and Julia, Tom and Gina be comforted by their memories of their life with you and Mary.

celeste plaister

January 20, 2024

Sending our love to Karen, Tom and Ellen.
Colin was such a wonderful and passionate advocate of the ocean and the San Juans Islands. We feel lucky he and Mary were in our lives.
What a terrific pair they were!
Love Celeste and Bob

Billie J Swalla

January 20, 2024

Hello all of Colin's family and friends, I was so sad to hear of his passing. He was a wonderful friend of Mary Rice's, as they had attended graduate school together. He helped her making her house more accident proof and always had a unique way of doing things. I last saw him during the pandemic when I took over "Beluga Bob", a soapstone that Mary had named after their friend and mentor, Robert Fernald. Colin and Mary would keep "Beluga Bob" every winter when Mary Rice went back to Florida. I was very fond of Colin and his wife Mary, they were very kind and welcoming when I came to FHL in 1999. One of my favorite photos from an FHL beach walk, with Mary Rice, Colin, myself and Rachel Anderson. Hugs and love to all!

Scott Cromie

January 19, 2024

Hermans Family - I am so very sorry for your loss. I worked with your mom at P&B and she was amazing and I so enjoyed your dad. You three were their joy. He is now back with your mom, and I hope you can find peace in his passing.
Scott Cromie

Michael P Herko

January 19, 2024

It was always an honor and privilege to compare life notes with Colin. His breath of knowledge and sharp wit were unsurpassed. A giant among men. He will be sorely missed.

Michelle Herko

January 19, 2024

My husband and I so enjoyed our conversations with Colin. Ours sons got to know him too when he hired them to bring in the wood. He had a very inspiring spirit. We are so glad that he touched our lives. He will be missed from the labs and around town. With Sympathy, The Herkos
Michelle, Mike, Kai and Nick (Caretakers for Friday Harbor Labs)

Victoria Nash

January 19, 2024

I am so sorry to hear Professor Hermans is gone. He was one of my favorite teachers when I attended SSU in the late 70s, and I remember him fondly. His classes were rigorous but fun, and his attitude that academia didn't have to be joyless was incredibly refreshing. As I recall, he had an alter-ego named Capt Hermans who would occasionally show up for class wearing a super hero cape. He also appreciated humor from his students; once when I didn't know an answer on an exam, I wrote in something completely ridiculous, and he thought it was hilarious.

I was a biology major, and during my time at SSU, Professor Hermans was always helpful and supportive when I had questions about subject matter or navigating my courses toward my goals. Years later, I went back to school as a re-entry student to apply for a graduate program at UC Berkeley, and he wrote a wonderful letter of reference for my application, which meant a lot to me. I will always remember him and the impact he had on my life. My condolences to family and friends on the loss of this gem of a human being.

William ( Bill) Mentzer

January 19, 2024

I knew Colin since meeting him at Pomona College in 1958. He and Mary were among. our best friends over the years. Colin and I ran long distance races together in the Sonoma foothills and together with our sons Tom and Billy climbed Mt Rainier. Our families also spent happy times together in England and in Germany during Colin's sabaticals. Mary died after a long illness and Colin was always at her side. He was a great friend and I will miss him greatly.

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