William Sparkes Herman, Jr.

Herman, William Sparkes, PhD 90, of Mpls, died peacefully surrounded by family on December 5th, 2021. Born William Sparkes Weidel, Jr. in Seattle, WA, on October 12th, 1931, to Jane (Ardery) Weidel and William Sparkes Weidel, Sr. As a child of The Great Depression, Bill's life reflected struggle, tenacity, and resilience. In the 1930s, his family survived abandonment and poverty with indomitable spirit. As a child, Bill moved often and learned early to follow his own compass. He had a strong work ethic and paid his own way, working as a 'carni' at the Puyallup County Fair and as a lodge hand in Banff. During the Korean War, Bill was stationed at Burtonwood AFB, Manchester, England. There he managed the football and basketball teams and toured Europe. With only the GI Bill and his own belief in self, Bill entered college at Portland State and eventually earned a PhD in Zoology at Northwestern Univiversity (1964). There he met his lifelong companion, the "brilliant and gorgeous" Charlotte Meyer who influenced him like no other. In 1962 they married, which Bill considered the best decision of his life. Their 60yrs involved road trips, wilderness camping, catching fish, dinners with friends, restoration of a beautiful Victorian home, Charlotte becoming an RN and horticulturalist, and Bill becoming a Professor and Chair of the Department of Genetics and Cell Biology at the Univ of MN. Bill was an expert in monarch butterfly endocrinology, attending conferences in India and Japan, and sabbaticals at Panum Institute (Copenhagen, Denmark, 1974) and Cambridge University (Cambridge, UK, 1989). In retirement, (2002), Bill researched genealogy, travelled to Germany, Hawaii and France (renting a houseboat on the Seine and exploring Bretagne by car), and wintered in Bahia de Kino, Mexico, amongst dear friends. Bill was deeply grateful for the 50yrs of love and support from Minneapolis' Prospect Park community, a 'second family'. Preceded in death by sister, Bonnie Weidel and survived by wife Charlotte, daughter Alexandria Herman (Edward and son Joseph Garcia), son Nicholas 'Max' (Emily) Herman, and daughter Carter (Peter) Lebares. In lieu of flowers, please donate to SE Seniors - A Living At Home/Block Nurse Program, Natural Resources Defense Council, or The Nature Conservancy.

Tributes

William Sparkes Herman, Jr.

October 12, 1931 - December 5, 2021

Tributes

William Sparkes Herman, Jr.

October 12, 1931 - December 5, 2021

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