Thomas R. Herbst

Thomas R. Herbst aged 82, passed to eternal life on Monday, October 28, 2024. He was born to Leonard and Mary (Wenzl) Herbst on August 17, 1942 on a forty-acre farm in the township of Eisenstein, WI. His early education took place at the Eisenstein one-room schoolhouse and later continued at Lincoln High School in Park Falls, WI where he participated in football, basketball, and track and field. Tom was selected a third team All-American High School football player. As a member of the graduating class of 1960, Tom and his classmates enjoyed gathering together. After high school Tom accepted a scholarship to attend the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO where he participated in intramural sports. He was honored to be selected during his senior year for a six-month tour as Battalion Commander. Next up was pilot training which led to piloting B52 bombers while stationed at Minot Aire Base in North Dakota. He was then called to duty during the Vietnam war flying B52 bomber missions. After an honorable discharge on August 28, 1971, he began taking classes at college which led him into a career at an Iowa college where he retired as the personnel director. It was during this time he met and married the love of his life, Dawna Morse. They retired to a life together in Marshfield, WI, spending summers at their cabin on Elk River near Phillips. They enjoyed many happy years together, devoting their time to visiting with family and friends, garage saling and antiquing before he lost his beloved Dawna to terminal illness. They were brought great comfort by their two dogs, Buster and Petey. Tom had a generous and sharing spirit. An avid softball player well into his 40s, his last year’s batting average was .800 accompanied by many home runs. As a member of the American Legion Post 182, he served as Commander for two consecutive years. Tom’s niece Amy and husband Todd, along with their daughters Hope, Faith, and Terra provided kind and loving care to Tom. He is survived by brothers Bob (Carolyn), Dan (Connie), Wayne (Kate), sister Sharon (Randy) and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday April 5, 2025, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Park Falls. Deacon Chet Ball will officiate. Interment will follow at Nola Cemetery with military honors under the auspices of the Park Falls American Legion Post 182. A visitation will be held on Saturday at the church from 10:00am until the hour of the service. Birch Street Funeral Service is assisting the family. www.birchstreetfuneralservice.com

Thomas R. Herbst

August 17, 1942 - October 28, 2024