Herman Cain

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Herman F. Cain passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 2, 2009 with his family by his side.  Herm was born in West Seattle in 1925.  The youngest of six children, he attended West Seattle High School before leaving to join the Navy in 1942 at the start of WW2.  After the war, he returned to West Seattle where he met and married Eileen Chapman and had three children -- Greg, Kate, and Deborah.  After 26 years of marriage, they were divorced.  In 1976 Herm met Carol the love of his life and they were married in 1979.  Carol had two daughters, by a previous marriage, Julie and Lisa Keck. 
Herm is survived by his wife Carol, son Greg, (Deborah), daughters Kate Christianson and Deborah Jacobsen, stepdaughter, Julie Keck and grandchildren Bryan Bethel (Aimee), Danica Bourne (Jason), Janel Loos ( Hans),  Ethan Jacobsen, Matthew Cain, Mikayla Jacobsen, and Falana Henderson.  Great-grandchildren include Aspen Bethel, Connor, Cameron, and Griffin Bourne, Audrey and Hansi Loos.  He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. 
Herman started his career in the drywall industry at Kaiser Gypsum.  From there he went to Beadex, Norwest Gypsum, GTS, Seattle Wall Products, and finally after several attempts at retiring, went to work for his friend, Tom Falk, and helped to start up GWB Supply in Tacoma. 
Herman was well respected in the commercial drywall industry and was known for his technical knowledge and sense of humor.  Anyone who knew Herm had funny stories to tell about him.  His contagious laughter and wacky sense of humor were all part of Herm and he had many friendships that went back forty or more years. 
Herm loved music, golf, wild birds, gardening, and being with his family and friends.  He and Carol shared all of those interests and also loved to dance.  There were many trips to the ocean, Hawaii, and Arizona -- all aimed at relaxation.  Herm did volunteer work at Valley Medical Center in Renton and part of that included creating a Serenity Garden in a cement courtyard that was beautiful and loved by all.  He cared for it with lots of love and sweat.  He later moved on to the Joint Repair Department where he talked to patients and helped with various duties.  No one who knew him will forget his laughter and love of life. He was one-of-a-kind and his family and friends will miss him so very much.  A memorial service will be held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home on January 17 at 2:00 P.M.  In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Alzheimer's Association. The family will like to thank the Weatherly Inn at Lake Meridian for their loving care.  

Published in the West Seattle Herald January 14, 2009.