Robert “Bob” E. Herman, a well known local Williston businessman and owner of Herman Oil, 78 years of age, died Saturday morning, October 26, 2013 at his home in Williston, ND surrounded by his loving family and in the care of Mercy Hospice.

Bob was born the son of local farmers Lawrence and Francis Aileen (Shafer) Herman at Olney, Illinois on December 8, 1934. He was raised in the Catholic Faith and Baptized at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stringtown, IL. He attended schools at Claremont and Hickory Point and graduated from high school in 1953 from Olney High School. While in school he worked for his grandfather, Mr Shafer in the family General Store. Here, Bob acquired an interest in business; lessons he would perfect throughout his life. Small town southern Illinois gave Bob a head start in knowing hard work. At an early age, he left home after high school and came to North Dakota in 1954 where he took a job with Calvart Drilling Company during the first area oil boom where Bob worked thirteen years on the oil rigs. He was united in marriage to Sharon Ness at Columbus, North Dakota on December 11, 1955. To this union six children were born. The family lived in many area towns while in the oil field; Bowbells, Kenmare, Bottineau, Flaxton, Stanley, Tioga and in 1964 moved to Williston. After that experience Bob began his career of self employment and started Bob’s Standard Service in Williston in 1964. That business He sold in 1975 and purchased the Amoco Bulk Plant. This venture grew in time to two bulk plants and two convenience stores, one in Williston, ND and one in Medicine Lake, MT both known to the area as Herman Oil. Bob continued theses businesses where he took an active role in customer service. He knew his customers both in the oil industry and farm agriculture and he devoted himself to meeting their needs. Bob retired after 47 years as a self made businessman in 2011 at the age of seventy six.

Bob enjoyed his career and all of the relationships that he cultivated over the years. He was hardworking, fun, loving and had a good sense of humor. He enjoyed his pilot’s license, hunting, mushroom hunting with family in Illinois and his black lab, Sahab. Family was always at the core of happiness with Bob. He was a member of Our Redeemers Lutheran Church, Elks, ND Petroleum Marketers, Midwestern Oil Jobbers Consortium, NRA, Ducks Unlimited, and AOPA.

Bob was widowed in September of 2001 when his wife Sharon died in Williston. He was joined in marriage to Rebecca Thompson at Williston, ND on April 10, 2004. Together they continued to make Williston home. Since his retirement, Bob enjoyed traveling the country in his motor home and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Becky, one son, Robert Shane (LeAnn) Herman, two daughters, ConiLe (Lloyd) Teske, December Herman, all of Williston, ND, fourteen grandchildren, six great grandchildren, two stepchildren; Wade (Ann) Domres, of St. Cloud, MN, Darci (Daren) Herman, of West Fargo, ND, four step grandchildren daughter-in-law, Pam (Monte) Olson, of Australia, two brothers; William “Bill” (Ruth Ann) Herman, of Williamsfield, IL and Larry “Bud” (Sandy) Herman, of Claremont, IL.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Sharon, two sons; Robbie Herman, and Jeffrey Todd Herman, a daughter, Shari Lynn Herman, granddaughter, Miranda Dawn Teske, and his parents-in-law, Clifford Merriwell and Martha Julie Ness.

Published in Williston Daily Herald (ND) - Monday, October 28, 2013