James Alan Herbig, Sr.
September 26, 1925 – October 17, 2015
HERBIG, Sr., James Alan, began his journey on Earth on September 26, 1925 in Dayton, Ohio and ended his journey on Saturday, October 17, 2015.
His parents were Clifton and Naomi (Emerick) Herbig. He excelled at basketball in high school and received over 70 scholarship offers. This was interrupted by World War II, and Jim enlisted in the Army Air Force. He flew as an aerial gunner and later as a tail gunner on the B-17 bomber "Stardust," which he had the honor to name. On the 12th mission, they were shot down over Germany. Jim, the only survivor, became a Prisoner of War, during which time he walked 600 miles in The Black Death March for 3 months in the middle of winter. He was honorably discharged in November 1945 and was awarded numerous medals, including the Purple Heart.
After the war, he enrolled at the University of Dayton and in 1956 after 10 years of night school received a B.S. in Chemistry. He worked for Monsanto Chemical Co., Dayton, OH, in Chemical Res. & Dev. from 1949 to 1960. In 1960 he began employment with NCR in Dayton and served in various technical, administrative and management capacities in their Chemical Research and Carbonless Paper divisions. His name is included on many patents at NCR. He wrote published articles. His work included travel overseas to Russia, Italy, Germany, etc. In 1976 he transferred to Appleton, WI as VP of Finance & Admin. for NCR's Appleton Papers Division. He returned to Dayton in 1978 as VP of NCR Capsular Prods. Div., which was subsequently purchased by a large pharmaceutical company and a new company named Eurand America, Inc. was formed. Jim became its Chief Operating Officer, from which he retired in 1990. Jim was respected by his employees for his leadership, while at the same time forming close personal friendships with many of them.
Retirement began in Lakeland, Florida at Schalamar Creek golf community. He and his wife Sharon enjoyed 16 years there with wonderful new friends. Jim loved golfing often with his new golf buddies. In 2006 they moved to Oshkosh, WI to be near Sharon's elderly parents. Jim was previously involved with civic groups such as Rotary, Junior Achievement, Boy Scouts and others. Was formerly a member of the American Management Assn., American Chern. Society and Industrial Res. Institute and others. He has existing memberships in the American Legion and American Ex-Prisoners of War.
Besides sports, Jim's interests included crafts, woodworking, boating, fishing, jigsaw puzzles, watching DVD's of old western movies/TV series, electric train, reading, and eating out at their favorite restaurants. Jim had a real sense of humor.
Jim is survived by his wife Sharon of 29 years; son James (Collette) Herbig of Centerville, Ohio; son David Herbig (Maria) of Vero Beach, Florida; daughter Kimberly (Dennis) French of Bradenton, Florida; stepdaughter Chandra Davis of Dublin, Ohio; stepdaughter Tammy (Ron) Knipfer of Union, Ohio; grandchildren Kristin (David) Gray, Lyndsey (Doug) Creech, Christopher (Ashley) Herbig, Emily Herbig, Nate Herbig, Jordan Sprague and Jacob Sprague; step-grandchild Jason Knipfer; great-grandchildren Morgan Gray, Alyson Gray, Logan Gray and Kendall Creech; mother-in-law Ruth Mendels; brother-in-law Dennis Tiede; cousin Dick (Dottie) Landis; 1 nephew; 1 step-niece and 2 step-nephews and their families; and former spouse Margaret Herbig. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jack Herbig, sister-in-law Maryann Herbig, sister-in-law Evon Tiede, stepfather-in-law Edwin Mendels, father-in-law LaVern Tiede, and former spouse Mary Lou Belleman.