[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14237]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING HERMAN NEUROHR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 27, 2010

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today 
and pay tribute to a man that I consider a father, a brother and a 
friend. Sadly, Herman Neurohr passed away on July 15th at the age of 
86. I have worked with Herm for most of my adult life and I will miss 
him immensely.
  Herman Neurohr was born on September 21, 1923 in Flint, Michigan. At 
the beginning of World War II, he joined the Marine Corps and was 
stationed in the Pacific Theater. At the conclusion of the war, Herm 
returned to Flint and worked for many years at Buick Motor Division of 
General Motors before retiring.
  It was during this time that I became acquainted with Herm. Herm's 
son, Neil, was one of my students when I ran for a seat in the Michigan 
House of Representatives in 1964 and both became active in my campaign. 
Herm has been an integral part of my life since that time. He quickly 
became my number one volunteer and the ``go to guy'' to get any job 
done. I have fond memories of Herm and his wife Hazel helping out not 
only with campaign work but daily tasks and babysitting my children. I 
still have the letter Neil wrote to me in 1969 asking that I make Herm 
the campaign manager. It is a decision I have never regretted.
  In 1976 when I was elected to Congress, the first person I hired to 
be on my staff was Herm and he ran my district office for 7 years. He 
loved politics and government and he was loyal and inspired loyalty in 
others. He helped me lay the framework for my district office, a 
framework that has functioned successfully for more than 30 years.
  As a member of VFW Post 4139, Herm helped construct the building. He 
loved working with his hands and built 3 homes over the years. He 
traveled to Arizona in the winter and made 7 trips to Germany to visit 
relatives. Neil, and his daughter-in-law, Carol, were able to accompany 
him on 2 of his trips.
  Left to treasure his memory are Neil and Carol, his daughter Kelly, 
special friend Shirley Wager, many relatives and friends. Herm was 
deeply devoted to his family and loved to spend time with his 
grandsons, Nick and Dustin Stevens, and his great-granddaughter, Asia.
  Madam Speaker, it is a profound honor for me to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in a moment of silence to remember the life 
of Herman Neurohr. He changed the way I viewed the world and I often 
remember his advice when I am contemplating a problem today. His wisdom 
was pragmatic, direct and grounded in common sense and I always 
welcomed his input. Even after he retired, I would talk to him about 
critical issues. Even though I am saddened by his passing, my memories 
of Herm warm my heart and I will cherish the time we spent together.