Growing up on the farm, Herman enjoyed country school, relatives, friends, music ~ and radio! He graduated from Palmer High School, where he entertained friends with his piano, trombone, & vocal music ~ & started the “pep band”. At age 17, he ventured to Detroit, Michigan, to further his interest in radio.
While in Detroit, Herman made a life-changing decision to receive Jesus Christ as His Savior & Lord, & serve Him with his life. After graduating from the Radio Electronics & Television School two years later, he worked as a radio announcer & engineer at KJRG in Newton, Kansas, for 2 years. In 1958, Herman came to Lincoln, Nebraska, to join the radio staff at Back to the Bible Broadcast.
At First Evangelical Free Church he met Marjorie Jensen, who was a teacher in the Lincoln Public Schools. They married in 1961, & had two children, David & Anita. Herman enjoyed interacting with them as they were growing up, & seeing them become capable & respected Christian adults. He also loved their spouses, Cherry & Ronnie, being grandpa to Katie, Julia, Kirsten & David Jr. ~ and great-grandpa to Heidi!
Family times in their homes were treasured times!
Herman continued his employment at Back to the Bible for 42 years, & experienced many changes in radio production. When he started, he was duplicating reels of taped programs, & mailing them around the world to be aired from places like Ecuador, Korea, & Sri Lanka. Later he was announcing & producing those programs with new technology to present the Gospel of Christ around the world. He also was the announcer on stateside programs, & became the chief engineer. He felt privileged & humbled to serve his Lord through radio in this way. His early interest in radio had a purpose! He retired in 2000.
Herman & Marj enjoyed showing Christian hospitality in their home, reaching out to neighbors, & being involved in their church. Herman’s kindness & sense of humor were an encouragement to many.
In 2019, Herman & Marj moved to Eastmont Retirement Community. In 4 years there, they enjoyed their comfortable apartment home, & the friendships & care given to them. They were grateful to many who served them in this season of their lives, & thank the Lord & their family for their love & care!
Herman is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marjorie; daughter & son-in-law Ronnie & Anita Ford of Lincoln; son & daughter-in-law Dave & Cherry Rohlfs of Rockwall, TX. Grandchildren: Katie (Coleman) Roughton of Michigan, Julia Rohlfs, Kirsten Rohlfs, David Rohlfs, Jr. of Rockwall TX; Great-granddaughter Heidi Roughton of Michigan. He valued highly many cousins & their families. Herman was preceded in death by his parents.