Herman Henry Jr. and Cecelia Mae Davisson Kerber

Memories with Dad

Dad loved to drive and take road trips. Many early memories with my dad, Herman Henry Kerber (Jr.), involved being in a vehicle. Trips to Grandpa’s (Sr.) farm close to Horton, Kansas would include rides on the tractor, rides in the back of a pickup truck singing songs with my cousins, and thrilling boat rides on the farm pond as he sped around in circles. The whole family had a lot of happy times at the farm.

Our family (Herman, Cecelia, Les, Bob and Kathy) resided at 3328 Penn Street in St. Joseph, Missouri after I was born. Dad was a good salesman, good at math and great with people making his being the Sales manager of the Kirby Vacuum Company a good fit …for a few years. He would occasionally take just me with him on appointments. During this father/daughter time, I was always on my best behavior for him.

Dad liked going to countryside car races which often featured a demolition derby in the 1950’ & 60’s. The Speedway in Savannah, Mo. was nearby and we went there a lot. I recall the noise and playing under the bleachers as I tagged along with my older brothers. They were typical boys and sometimes Dad had to use the ‘voice’ with them. Dad was a tall muscular man who had this deep disciplinary voice that demanded attention. It was scary, but his bark was much louder than his bite. He was a fun-loving man and a good father.

Mom and Dad divorced when I was around 8 years old. He went into construction and was a perfectionist at it. He had his own company, Kerber and Sons, and passed these skills on to my brothers. Dad eventually became a Construction Superintendent, building apartment complexes around the country for Bynan Construction. When I was about 11 years old, he took me to Denver for a couple weeks while he built buildings. The only apartments I know the name of today is in our home town of St. Joseph: Broadmoor Apartments at 36^th & Gene Field Road.

 Dad had a brain aneurism when he was in his 50’s and almost died in Shreveport, Louisiana. That ended his stressful career. After Dad retired, I observed his love of being a ‘tinker’, fixing, mending and building things. He used his skills to earn a living, help and teach others. Dad was well respected for his quality workmanship and work ethic.

Dad was handsome, well groomed and a bit of a romantic. He loved to give fresh flowers. However, one time he gave me a bouquet of artificial red rose buds. He told me he wanted me to have pretty roses that would last forever. I still have those roses.

Dad was raised on a farm with good country home cooking. (Grandma was a fantastic cook.) He was not comfortable in the kitchen, so he really appreciated a home cooked meal. Our holiday meals together had the best food and happy times… a tradition I continue. As I write, Thanksgiving is approaching and we will miss Dad at our table. He did not like turkey, but he’d carve the bird for us. He did not care to watch the football games, so he would sit at the dining room table and talk to me and my mother as I happily cooked for the family.

Dad was very active in the VFW (Veteran’s of Foreign Wars) post in St. Joseph, MO. He held several positions from Post Commander to van driver taking veterans to the VA Hospital every week.

Even as Dad’s health began to fail (hip replacements, age and diabetes), he was always in good spirits. When I would ask, “How are you doing?” He’d always say” Wooun..derful!” with his voice lowering and then ending at a high tone on that one word song. He’d then say, “Can’t complain… wouldn’t do any good.” …… and smile in a loving manner.

Herman Henry Kerber, Jr. was born at St. Joseph, Missouri on October 17, 1926. He was baptized in St. Joseph on July 15^th, 1928 at the Zion Evangelical Church. Dad had a stroke while driving home from a Kansas City VFW Regional meeting in January 2007 and died a few days later. Jesus took the wheel and it was Dad’s time to go home.