Eugene Hermansen

Eugene “Hermie” Hermansen passed away peacefully of natural causes on Saturday, July 30, in the company of his loving family. Hermie’s life as a native Oregonian and lifetime Philomath resident began 87 years earlier on a Saturday morning at Jefferson, the fourth of six children of Arnold C. and Mabel (Borton) Hermansen. Growing up in Philomath, where most of the small population knew each other, was a pleasant early life. In 1946, Hermie married his high school sweetheart, Henrietta Oleman, in Corvallis while on a U.S. Navy leave. Upon his discharge after serving with the Navy Carrier Aircraft Service in the Pacific Theater in World War II, Hermie and Henrietta returned to Philomath to live and raise their family, being blessed with three loving children, Debra Sue, Heidi Cay and Marty Douglas. Hermie was always active and involved in his children’s and grandchildren’s activities, especially sports, spending a great amount of time and travel to watch their sports teams in support. Hermie always wanted to be remembered for his great love for his family and their achievements. Attending and receiving his education in the Philomath schools, he was blessed with several achievements during his athletic activities: graduating with the honor of Outstanding Athlete in his graduating class, playing on the 1939 State B Football Championship team, being a three-sport varsity letterman for his last three years of school, and being honored by the offer of an athletic scholarship from Willamette University. Being active in sports, Hermie later played AAU basketball and baseball for many years. After his military service, Hermie began working in the logging and lumber industry before starting his dedicated and beloved work for the Philomath School District as the director of the “new” high school pool, which opened in 1960. The highlight of his career was teaching swimming to PE students, American Red Cross learn-to-swim classes, and the Dolphin Swim Team. Hermie retired after 26 years of working at the pool and teaching children in the community to swim. Hermie’s hobbies of fishing and hunting allowed him to travel all over Oregon. Hermie also enjoyed traveling across the country to his Navy reunions. Hermie was preceded in death by Henrietta, his wife of 51 years; brother Robert of Philomath; and sisters Eleanor of Otis and Sybil of Tillamook. Hermie is survived by his daughters, Debra and her husband, Chris Wyne, of Brownsville, and Heidi and her husband, David Armstrong, of Aurora; his son Marty and his wife, Sonia, of Canby; his sister, Delilah Plunket of Brookings; his brother, Carl of Albany; and his grandchildren Sean, Martha and Jeremiah Wyne, Shelby and Alyse Armstrong, and Hailey and Chandler Hermansen. A viewing will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. today, and a service at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 8, at McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis. Committal at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Corvallis will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name can be made to the Philomath Swim Pool Foundation in care of McHenry Funeral Home.

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Eugene Hermansen

May 24, 1924 - July 30, 2011