Mortimer Hill Herrick

Mortimer Hill Herrick, born February 2, 1913 in New York City, died in Richmond on December 30, 2004. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Dorothy Dodd Herrick; and his brother, Robert E. Herrick. He is survived by daughters, Lou-Bette Herrick currently in Richmond and Judith Herrick DeVries of Oakland, California; grandchildren, Lauren DeVries Gillham, Francisco DeVries, Will Thomas DeVries and Caroline Noelle Goddard; brothers, Thomas A. Herrick of Brentwood, New York, and Warren Herrick of Miami, Florida; sister, Clara Elinor Herrick of Brentwood, New York; and many loving nieces and nephews. Mort had resided in Richmond since 1947, where he was a longtime member of the First Unitarian Church and participated in many local civic and cultural activities over the years. He was a true Renaissance man whose interests and vast knowledge ranged from baseball to poetry, from history to physics. Mort loved books and was an avid reader. It was no coincidence that his wife, Dorothy, was a librarian. Together they also shared an interest in the theatre, beginning in their early married life in New York City, and continuing in Richmond where they were actively involved with the Barksdale Theatre, especially in the early years at the Hanover Tavern. Mort loved classical music, built his own stereo system in the 1950s with which to enjoy his fine LP collection, and remained an active supporter of the Richmond Symphony and other local music endeavors throughout his life. Mort spent his childhood in Villamont, Va., but upon graduation from Roanoke Senior High School in 1929, he returned to New York where, at age 16, he worked as an assistant to Nobel Prize laureates at Bell Laboratories during the Great Depression. His diverse career over the years, which reflected his many, largely self-taught capabilities, included Service Manager for Sears, Roebuck & Co. in Richmond, Plant Manager for American Paper Co., and NE Technical Representative for the Carrier Corporation. He taught classes at John Tyler Community College and was the lead electrician for the first open heart surgery at the Medical College of Virginia. He taught poetry at correctional centers and senior centers and hosted a weekly poetry show on public radio. Mort was an avid outdoorsman all of his life. He and Dorothy met on a moonlight hike with the Appalachian Trail Club. They traveled the world together in retirement, and he remained active in the US China Peoples Friendship Association until recently. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on January 29, at the First Unitarian Church of Richmond. Donations in his memory may be made to The Shepherd's Center of Richmond, 4900 Augusta Avenue, Suite 102, Richmond, Va. 23230.