Marvin Philip Marv Hergert, age 79 of Oshkosh, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 24, 2004 while caring for the horses he loved. He was born on November 11, 1924 in Oshkosh, a son of the late Philip and Anna M. (Lautenschlager) Hergert. Marvin married the former Margaret Helen Albrecht on June 15, 1947 in Cambria, Wisconsin. He served his country in the US Navy during WWII from 1942 to 1945 serving in the South Pacific as part of a destroyer escort. Upon his return from the Navy, he worked at the Hergert Dairy from 1946 to 1959 with his father, mother and brothers. In his younger years he was a motorcycle enthusiast and in the 1950 s he participated in closed course boat racing in Class-B utility racing, sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association using boats that he built himself. He raced in the Fond du Lac to Fremont Winnebagoland Marathon Race, which covered nearly 50 miles for five years. Marvin placed 2nd and 3rd in the Midwest Divisional Championships in 1952 and 1954. These are just several titles in an extensive boat racing career. It was these boating activities that eventually lead to the beginning of Hergert Sport Center in 1955. Marv served as the president from it s formation until his retirement in 1990. Marv was a well respected small business owner with great foresight and an unparalled work ethic, who was known by many for his skills as a mechanic. He had the unique ability to fix almost anything. Marv was a perfectionist about his work and was always willing to help others solve their problems. He was also an avid sportsman, enjoying duck hunting and large game hunting, making a number of trips to hunt deer and elk in Montana, some of which were on horseback. In his retirement years he turned to horseback riding as his passion. Marv was an accomplished rider and had many friends at Wind Ridge Farm. He especially enjoyed the time spent riding with his daughter Patricia on their quarter horses Misty and Be-One. Together Marv and Pat competed and won several State and National reining horse competitions. Also in retirement he and Margaret enjoyed many winters together in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Marv loved to talk, especially about horses. Many who knew Marv might have thought of him as bold and out-spoken at times. Those who really knew him knew him as a caring and generous husband, a loving father and grandfather, with the biggest heart you can imagine. Marv s zest for life and boundless energy inspired all of us to follow our dreams and live life to the fullest.
He is survived by his wife Margaret of 57 years; two sons, Bruce M. (Kathy) of Butte des Morts, Philip E. (Mary) of Oshkosh; a sister, Doris Allen of Oshkosh; two brothers, Warren (Elizabeth) Hergert and Robert (Judith) Hergert both of Oshkosh; seven grandchildren, Nicholas, Lindsay and Kelsey Hergert; Jesse Ann (Phil) Karpowitz, Jennifer Hergert; Chrissy and Matt Barney; a son-in-law, David Barney of Winneconne. He is further survived by other relatives and many dear friends and his two horses, Misty and Be-One. He was preceded in death by a loving daughter, Patricia Ann Barney.
Funeral services for Marvin will be held on Thursday, May 27, 2004 at 12noon at Zion Lutheran Church 400 N. Sawyer Street with the Reverend Clyde Friedman officiating. Burial will be in Lake View Memorial Park Cemetery. Family and friends may call directly at the church on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of floral expressions, a memorial fund will be established in Marvin s name.
Marv will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Giddy-Up!