Col. Ret. Querin E. "Quin" Herlik

1932 - 2025

COL (Ret) Querin "Quin" E. Herlik, Entered into rest Sunday, September 28, 2025, husband of Mrs. Patricia Herlik. COL Herlik was born in 1932 in Green Bay, Wisconsin and received his Bachelor Degree in Economics from St. Norbert College in 1955 and Masters Degree in Business Management from Central Michigan University. He was an outstanding athlete who captained his High School and College Teams in golf, bowling and rifle events. He was an Eagle Scout and avid fan of the Green Bay Packers and the Atlanta Braves. His hobbies were golfing, hunting and fishing. Quin entered into active duty as an Army Second Lieutenant from ROTC in 1955 and served until his retirement in 1986.

Herlik was a graduate of Field Artillery Officers Basic and Advance courses at Fort Sill, OK, Armed Forces Staff College at Norfolk, VA and Fixed and Rotary Wing Aviation courses at Fort Rucker, AL. He was the recipient of many military awards, including the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars, twenty-five Air Medals, one with V Device, and three Meritorious Service Medals. COL Herlik flew over 4,000 hours in 19 types of fixed and rotary aircraft including over 900 hours in combat over Vietnam. He served in a variety of command and staff assignments in the U.S., Germany, Alaska and Vietnam. He was the Operations Chief on the President's Airborne Command Post, commanded an 850-man special weapons Artillery Group in Germany, was Chief of Staff for Joint Forces Alaska, and commanded an Aviation Company in Saigon, Vietnam when he was shot down and captured in Cambodia in 1969. Herlik and his crew of three were on a highly classified mission when hit and were able to destroy their documents while fighting off the North Vietnamese who downed their aircraft. They were released from a Cambodian prison through the efforts of then President Richard Nixon.

After retiring from the Army, COL Herlik worked in Real Estate sales and management and volunteered at the VA. He loved to golf and was a member of several golf groups and past president of Forest Hills Golf association. He was proud of his three Holes-In-One. Quin was a life member and supporter of Veterans, including the VFW, American Legion, EX-POWs and AM-VETS. He was the State Commander of Georgia EX-POWs and Commander of the Augusta Chapter of American EX-POWs for several years. Quin was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and active supporter of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church.

COL Herlik was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Mary Jo Lemerond Herlik and his sisters: Rose Ann Hunsader of Peoria, IL; Sr. Mary Jane Herlik, OP, St Petersburg, FL.

Surviving family members in addition to his wife, Patricia, are his son: Lt. Col. Edward Herlik (Cindy) of Colorado Springs, CO; daughters: Mary Louise Patterson of San Diego, CA; and Anna Marie Herlik (Roger Bates) of Del Mar, CA; grandchildren: Taylor Andrews, Morgan Patterson – Hepp and Quin Patterson; great granddaughter: Peyton Andrews; and sister: Rosalyn Simonar of Green Bay, WI.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 11:00 AM at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church with Fr. Francisco Gamboa celebrant. The family will receive friends Sunday, October 5, 2025, from 4:00 until 6:00 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. A reception will follow the Mass at St. Teresa Parish Life Center.

Memorials may be made to St. Teresa of Avila Capital Campaign Fund, 4921 Columbia Road, Grovetown, GA 30813.

Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com