Col. Rodger Herson, USAR (ret)

Rodger Joseph Herson, age 95, De Pere, WI, died on August 19th, 2023 at home.

He was born on December 27, 1927, to Walter and Lucy (Corcoran) Herson in West Ingalls, MI and was an only child. He lived with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John (Kathryn) Block and Uncle Bartley Michael Corcoran as a young boy.

He was baptized, made his First Holy Communion, and was confirmed at The Church of the Precious Blood Catholic Church, Stephenson, MI.

He attended Ingalls Grade School from 1933-1942 and graduated from Stephenson High School in 1946. He was active in 4-H and Boy Scouts. He attended Michigan State University and earned a Bachelor's Degree in 1956 and a Master's Degree in 1957. He did further graduate work at Northern Michigan University, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Green Bay.

Rodger married Julia E. Peters on February 14, 1953, at St. Margaret Catholic Church, Neenah, WI. They celebrated 70 years of marriage this past February. The surviving family includes 6 children: John (Debbie), Kathryn (Peg Morsch), Andrew (Kelly), Patrick (Claire), Mary (Michael) Herson-Roeser and Thomas. All 6 of the children were graduates of St. Norbert College. An infant son, Michael pre-deceased him shortly after birth in 1957. In addition, Rodger is survived by 14 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren whom he dearly loved. He was blessed to travel with his grandchildren in the United States and Europe, creating memories that will last them a lifetime.

He was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church in Allouez, the Knights of Columbus, Phi Delta Kappa, Bay Area Genealogical Society, the Audubon Society, the 11th Airborne Assn., 187 A/B Rakkasan Association, the Static Line, the Last Patrol, the Retired Officers Association, and the Hibernian Society. Rodger was an honorary Alumnus of St. Norbert College and an Honorary Member of the East High School Future Farmers of America Chapter.

He entered the Army in 1946, served as a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division in Japan. He re-entered the Army in 1950 and served in Col. Harry Wilson's 1st Bn. 187 A/B "Rakkasans", General M.B. Ridgeway's 8th U.S Army in Korea. He made the Munson-Hi combat jump and was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Parachute Badge with Combat Jump Star, the Glider Badge, and the Parachute Riggers Badge. During this time, he made 43 jumps out of perfectly good airplanes.

Commissioned in 1956, he remained in the Army Reserves until his retirement. He graduated from Basic Parachutist Course (Ft. Benning, GA) The Infantry Career Officers Course, The Intelligence School Advanced Officer Course and the General Staff College and The Logisticians School. He taught as a C&GS Instructor for ten years and served as an Assistant Commandant of the Wisconsin USAR School. He retired as a Colonel United States Army Reserve.

Rodger taught industrial arts and history for 39+ years - 3 years in Bath, MI, 6 years in Escanaba, MI and 30+ years at Washington Middle School in Green Bay. He also enjoyed working athletic events at both Washington Middle School and Green Bay East High School for 50 years. He dearly loved the students and families on the east side of Green Bay. Numerous students kept in touch with him, some as recently as August 2023.

He was an avid reader of Military and Local History books. He donated most of his library to St. Norbert College.

The family is asking please no flowers, in lieu of flowers, please bring backpacks filled with school supplies to the funeral service to be donated to Washington Middle School or donations can be made to a memorial fund that has been established in Rodger's name.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Matthew Catholic Church on Friday August 25th at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Bob Kabat as Celebrant. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. preceding the Mass at St. Matt's. Internment in the family plot at the Old Cemetery, Stephenson MI at a later date.

Ryan Funeral Home De Pere is assisting the family.

The family would like to thank the staff at ProMedica Hospice, especially Traci his case manager for their wonderful care. They also would like to thank Fr. Bob and Ann Froelich for their support and kindness to Mom and our Family.

A special thank you to our Mom for being Dad's primary caregiver these past few years. You kept your word that you would do everything possible to have him at home as long as possible.

Dad it's time to "Saddle Up" for one last trip.