Greg “Putz” Herwald, 71, of Little Hocking, OH, passed away Friday, December 7, 2018 at Marietta Memorial Hospital, from an unexpected massive MI (heart attack). He was born in Chicago, IL on February 19, 1947 to Edward M. and LaVerne (Frett, Grandma Jane) Herwald. He was raised in Chicago and the suburbs until he enlisted in the US Navy in 1966.
He served until 1970 and always credited the Navy with giving him direction in his life. He was honorably discharged holding the rank of second class petty officer, BT2 and served as a boiler tecnician. “He, of course “liked to let off steam”.
He spent the majority of his 4 years aboard ship, serving on the USS Canisteo (AO-99), the USS Vulcan (AR-5) and a brief assignment on the USS New Jersey (BB-62). We are sure that his passing on December 7, Pearl Harbor Day, was no coincidence. He graduated from Southern Illinois University (home of his beloved Salukis) in Carbondale, IL in 1974 with a BS in Marketing and a minor in Engineering.
He was an active member of the SIU Veterans Club. Greg met Vikki (his wife of 46 years) at SIU in January of 1971 and they were married at St Lawrence O’Toole Church in Matteson, IL on December 26, 1971. After college, Greg went to work for John Deere Industrial Equipment Company, Central Region, in Moline, IL.
He served as a territory manager in St Louis, MO, prior to moving to the Mid-Ohio Valley in 1977. In Marietta, he was the General Manager of Gress Equipment, becoming the managing partner in 1979. He served in this position, growing the business from 3 locations to 8.
He loved all of the employees and customers and went by the motto, “Let‘s work together, treat everyone good, try to make some money and have fun doing it”. After selling the business, Greg became a popular substitute teacher, working at Belpre High School and Warren High School for ten years. Giving up substitute teaching in 2011, he turned to volunteer work with veterans.
He was a member of American Legion Post 15, serving on the Color Guard. He also volunteered at the Wood County VA Clinic. His day was Thursday and it was his favorite day of the week.
One of his most special memories was serving as a Guardian for Glenn Henson, a WWII veteran, on an Honor Flight out of Wood County Airport in 2009 to Washington DC to visit the war memorials. Greg was a coach for girls softball, baseball and boys basketball, volunteered with the Boy Scouts, was the football and basketball announcer for Belpre 2002-2005, was active in fundraising for the Belpre Athletic Boosters for 10 years, refereed basketball from peewee to some Marietta College games for 10 years, did some local radio announcing and served as an AMA Official for motocross races. He loved water and boating, snow skiing and traveling.
Starting in 2009, he and Vikki traveled in their motorhome, visiting 47 states and the Canadian Maritime Provinces, National Parks and college football stadiums. In their travels, they visited old friends and made lots of new ones. Greg was an avid West Virginia fan and was often found at a microphone singing “County Roads”.
Greg is survived by his wife of 46 years, Vikki (Corley) Herwald, daughter Audra Schlegel (Kyle) of Chicago, son Kyle Herwald of Colorado, granddaughter Madeline Schlegel, special grand dog, Moose. In addition, he is survived by his younger siblings Pidge (Bill) Enright, Bunny (Bill) Erickson, Kurt (Lucille) Herwald, Mark (Laurene) Herwald, Jenny (Dan) Taylor, Jody (Walt) Petticrew), his sister in-law Beth Bailey, nieces and nephews Megan (Jim) Donley, Trisha Herwald, Wolfie Herwald, Scott (Julie) Sweet, Amber (Andrew) Nelson , Monica Taylor, Mark Taylor, Karley (Garrett) Schroeder, Ashley (Justin) Miller, great nephew Matthew Sproull , great niece Finley Miller and many more to come. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father and mother in-law, Lane (Gramps) Corley, Jean (Gammy) Corley, brothers in-law Rich Ruane, Lane Bailey and Tim Hunt and nephew Arthur “Artie” Petticrew.
Greg never met a stranger and no one who ever met him will ever forget him. He had many nicknames and gave lots of nicknames. He will be missed, but the “Putz” stories will keep us going.
Anyone with a special memory or Putz story, please send to the family. Services will be Friday 11:00 AM at Leavitt Funeral Home, Belpre with Father David Huffman officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery of Belpre with military honors by American Legion Post 15.
Visitation will be Thursday 3-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Greg’s name to the Little Hocking Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 213, Little Hocking, OH 45742 (your donation may help save a life) or to a local veteran’s group (the family will provide recommendations, if needed).
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