Wayne Edward Herman, 89
Wayne Edward Herman, 89 of Kalispell, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2025. Wayne was known as a loving father, dedicated outdoorsman and devoted to his community and the natural world.
Wayne was born on Friday the 13th of December 1935, in Spokane. As a teen, he began his apprenticeship in the newspaper industry at the Spokesman-Review. Later, he would move to Montana to work at the Missoulian then on to Kalispell to work for 32 years at the Daily Inter Lake.
Wayne's older brother, Al and Al's wife, Fern, moved to the little town of Dover, Idaho, on Lake Pend Oreille. Next door lived the Perry family, including their daughter Dolores "Doe" Perry. Cupid's arrow hit Wayne's heart, and they would marry in Sandpoint on June 6, 1959. The rest has been a rich history of a love story blessed by God and a couple's commitment to love, honor and cherish each other.
Born from that love were the blessed children of Renee, Julie and Dan Herman. Wayne and Doe served as role models who demonstrated how to love others without conditions, how to stand up with conviction to things that really matter and bestowed a deep appreciation for God's creations. Wayne and Doe's hearts overflowed to many others through the decades, including other "adopted children" as their kids would fondly say. They gave joy, a sense of belonging and appreciation that touched many hearts.
Wayne lived his life as an example of how to stand with conviction for things that matter. In the 70's, Wayne was president of the Flathead Wildlife and Conservation (later Flathead Wildlife Inc.) and continued for decades to follow as a member. In 1975, when the Cabin Creek Coal mine in Canada threatened the North Fork, Wayne helped organize the Flathead Coalition which eventually lead to an international agreement to protect the watershed.
In 1984, Wayne led in forming the Friends of Lawrence Park, when the city of Kalispell was considering turning the park into a baseball field or golf course. The group advocated for a family-oriented, multi-use park. This effort resulted in a park beautifully preserved for generations that would follow. Wayne took great pride in what his friends and he accomplished. Though dementia took many memories away, he would often say, "We did a good job saving this park!" as he watched today's generations at play.
An avid outdoorsman, Wayne loved to backpack and bag peaks with the Glacier Mountaineering Society. Wayne and Doe were deeply involved in their church and served as volunteers during local elections. Wayne was known for his sly wit and for playing the drums in local bands. He never lost his sense of humor, his smile or his sense of rhythm.
To all who have known and loved him, there is sorrow in our temporary loss, but joy in knowing his pain is gone, his memory restored and his reunion in Heaven with those who have gone on ahead of him to be quite the celebration.
He is survived by the love of his life, Dolores "Doe" Perry-Herman; daughter, Julie and Rick Glenn, grandchildren, Shawn Gibson, Kyle Johnson, Michelle Glenn-Undeberg and her husband, Ryan, and Nicky Glenn-Hughes and husband, Matt and seven great-grandchildren; and daughter, Renee and Ed Sievers and grandchildren, Max Sievers and wife, Jenn, Susan Sievers and Mary Sievers.
He was preceded in death by his son, Daniel "Dan" Herman, many dear friends and family members.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 5, at 2 p.m. at the Presence Church (formerly the Baptist Church of Kalispell) at 301 W. Wyoming St.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kalispell Parks and Recreation designated to the Lawrence Park.