Updated April 21
Peter Herrmann, a Vietnam veteran who served in the Navy aboard the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk, died suddenly on Tuesday. He was 75. Herrmann was the quartermaster for the VFW in Oak Bluffs, and a longtime lover of fishing.
VFW Commander Tom Norbury described Herrmann as the “backbone” of the VFW. “It was his heart and soul,” Norbury said.
Norbury said Herrmann’s passing has hit him “pretty hard,” and he and his fellow VFW members are just in the formative stages of a plan to honor Herrmann.
Herrmann drove for the Vineyard Transportation Authority (VTA). Angie Gompert, VTA administrator, remembered him fondly. “We were shocked and heartbroken by the news of Pete’s passing,” she wrote. “I met Pete in 1990 when I worked at the VFW. He was a man of his word, with a great sense of humor, who served his country and lived his life with pride and honor. He was a man who led with his kindness and actions. People mattered to Pete. He looked out for his fellow vets and the people he loved and cared about the most, his family.
“I was so delighted when we reconnected in 2009 when he started driving a bus for the Martha’s Vineyard Transit Authority. Pete was a great bus driver. He was patient, kind, and incredibly reliable. He always answered the phone at 5 am, willing to cover a last-minute call-out. He happily shared his culinary delights with a select few of his coworkers. We will miss our friend Pete; he’s not the kind of guy you can ever replace. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family, his extended VFW and American Legion family, and friends.”
Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby president John Custer also remembered Herrmann fondly, and reflected on his contributions to the Vineyard’s fishing community. “The Derby Committee recognizes Peter’s passing as a significant loss for our community,” he wrote. “He demonstrated giving back and taking care of others. He loved fishing, and used this as a way to strengthen the Island community. The annual summer fluke tournament was his creation, and he graciously handed it off to another group to facilitate after he had established it. Peter was sincere, dedicated, and generous. He will be missed tremendously.”
Peter will be sorely missed. His service both while in the navy as active duty and as a retired serviceman was distinguished.
Rest in peace Peter. Tight lines in the hereafter.
Peter, may the sun always shine upon your face and the wind be at your back
Rest In Peace Peter
Non sibi sed patriae
I knew Peter all his life..His mother Kay and my mother Helen Gibbons were best of friends in Oak Bluffs. Peter was a great guy and will be missed
Taught with ‘The Hammer’ for many years in Somerset.
Pete was a great guy to work and socialize with.
May he have as much fun on the other side as he did on this side.
RIP my friend.
Shocked and saddened by this news. Pete was a long time friend and colleague. We shared many good times together at the Somerset Middle School. I’ll always remember his comments about the K-Mart blue light specials and his love for The Price Is Right. Rest In Peace my friend. You served God and country with honor and devotion.
My deepest sympathy to all of Pete’s family and friends.
Peter was a friend to me for over 40 years. As others mention in the article, he was a kind and generous man, but not only through his work at the VFW and the derby. He helped many other island people on an individual basis, without being asked and expecting no credit. Plus, he was a helluva guy to hang out with, always funny and optimistic.
Peter always made me smile:) He was always a person who could make your day better. He was an amazing teacher & a friend at SMS – u made a huge imprint on our lives .
Peter was one of my best teacher friends, starting at North Middle School. Somebody said, if you couldn’t find one of us, look for the other one. We would match up playing basketball. Teachers may tease him,”You’re being beaten by a music teacher!?”I even helped him with the girls basketball team. A number of fellow teachers took a ferry with Peter to MV to help him build his house. One tiny mistake we made…..was drinking the beer on the ferry before we started building the house. On North Middle field days, Peter and I would have high jump contests. Some of us would go to rugby games with Peter. I even have a couple of rugby shirts. Peter took me to the store in RI wear we could buy them. I’m very sad, but I have wonderful memories.
I loved my grandpa he was a great grandpa I miss him And he will always be loved. I miss u grandpa u will be right there
Emily. He adored you and your brothers! He talked about you all the time.
Sincerely,
Kim
Our hearts are broken. Our prayers & sympathy to Peter’s family. He loved being ‘Bubba’ to his grandchildren. Our grandchild, Jack, loved him, too. He was a great guy!! A highlight of our family’s summer was going to MV & visiting with Peter. We will miss him. Rest In Peace, our dear friend.
I am in such shock! Peter was the toughest man I know. I had the pleasure of knowing him as a teacher, colleague and a dear friend. On the outside he appeared to be a tough guy, but he was the kindness and most generous person I know. I will miss our chats on the phone, emails about politics and most of all our in person MV get togethers…especially at the VFW. My heart hurts that you are no longer with us. I will miss you my friend!
I am in such shock! Peter was the toughest man I know. I had the pleasure of knowing him as a teacher, colleague and a dear friend. On the outside he appeared to be a tough guy, but he was the kindness and most generous person I know. I will miss our chats on the phone, emails about politics and most of all our in person MV get togethers…especially at the VFW. My heart hurts that you are no longer with us. I will miss you my friend!
Don’t think I ever saw Peter without a smile on his face. He always had something funny to say when he met you in the SMS halls, knew I could count on him to brighten the day. Peace and serenity to his family and friends. RIP, Peter.
What a honor, to have been a acquaintance for one of the most honorable men i ever met, may God bless you and be stove upon you love,peace and happiness,what a great human being you will be sorely missed.
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