Herman W. Westmeyer

Herman William Westmeyer, age 104, passed away at the Meadowlark Hills Retirement Community in Manhattan, KS on May 8, 2017. Herman was born on November 15, 1912, in Farmington, MO to Charles and Alice (Rodekohr) Westmeyer. He grew up on the family farm with three brothers and five sisters. He attended St. Paul Lutheran School and Farmington High School and graduated from the University of Missouri in 1936 with a Bachelor of Science degree. Following graduation, Herman was employed by the Kansas Cooperative Extension Service. Prior to World War II, he served as a County Agent in Lane, Harper and Barber Counties. He had a tremendous respect and admiration for the farmers and ranchers of Western Kansas who in the late 1930’s survived the hard times associated with the great dust bowl. He felt these people were the toughest of the tough. While serving in Barber County he met his future wife Nadine (Fowler) in Medicine Lodge, KS while she was working at the soda fountain in Carter’s Drug Store. They married in May of 1942 just prior to Herman being drafted into the Army for WWII. While Herman was serving in the military, Nadine worked at the Boeing Plant in Wichita building B-29 bombers. During the war, Herman saw action in the European Theatre during the Battle of the Bulge as a Forward Observer for the 490th Field Artillery Battalion, 11th Armored Division. He received a Purple Heart medal for serious wounds received during the battle and was awarded a Bronze Start medal for valor. Herman resumed his work as a County Agent after the war, serving as a County Agent in Harvey and Ford counties. Herman and Nadine’s two sons, Mel and Rex, were born in Dodge City during this time. He often spoke of his 14 years of work with the farmers, ranchers and 4H Clubs of Ford County in the period after the war with great fondness. In 1961, he earned a Master of Animal Science degree at Kansas State University and started a new role as an Extension Beef Cattle Specialist. His passion for working with beef cattle began at an early age. His father, C. J. Westmeyer, was a founding member of the National Polled Herford Association. He was associated with a variety of beef cattle research efforts throughout the state over the years and conducted meetings and seminars that disseminated the latest research information on raising cattle to ranchers across Kansas. He had a passion for the role that 4H played in the lives of young farmers and ranchers, and was a lifelong supporter of 4H programs. He judged beef cattle at the Kansas State Fair, the American Royal, and numerous county fairs. Herman was transferred to Chanute, KS, in 1973 where he finished his career as Area Director of Extension for Southeast Kansas. He retired as a Kansas State University Professor Emeritus in 1978 in Chanute. He was a member of Epsilon Sigma Phi, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Rotary, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the Zion Lutheran Church in Chanute. In retirement, he served on the board of charities and continued his life of public service well into his 90s. Herman was preceded in death by Nadine in 2008, his parents, and siblings: Walter, Florence, Juanita, Irma, Carl, Louise, Lillian, and Clarence. He is loved and missed by his sons Mel (Dorie) Westmeyer of Chicago, IL and Rex (Pam) Westmeyer of Manhattan, KS.; his grandchildren Travis (Sylvia) Westmeyer of Oak Park, IL , Ashley (Justin) Graff of Portland, OR, and Charlie Westmeyer of Chicago, IL.; and by his great-grandchildren, Genevieve, Solomon, Harrison and Elliot. A graveside funeral service will be held Tuesday, May 16, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at the Chanute Memorial Cemetery, Chanute, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, Herman asked that donations be made to the Zion Lutheran Church of Chanute, Kansas; and/or an Alzheimer’s research organization of their choice.