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Walt S. Herrick, Jr.
February 24, 1950 ~ December 4, 2020 (age 70)
Obituary & Services
Tribute Wall
Obituary
Walter S. Herrick, Jr., of Huntley, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 4, 2020 at the age of 70. He was born February 24, 1950 in Elgin, the son of the late Walter S. Sr. and Elaine (nee Barski) Herrick.
Walt is survived by his loving wife, Laurie (nee Switzer); sons, Paul and David Herrick, Josh (Jenny) Krepel, and daughter Heather (RJ) Kuligowski; grandchildren, Lily, Hailey, Noah, Owen, Myles, Avery, Myka and Madeline; siblings, Skip Herrick, Kathy Herrick (Kathleen Heyworth), Susan (Gary) Riegler, Barbara (Tim) Smith and Robert (Perla) Herrick; and his many nieces and nephews.
Learning tennis at an early age, Walt lettered in both tennis and basketball, graduating from Crystal Lake Community High School in 1968. He also lettered four years at Indiana University where he received his BS in education. He continued to play competitive tennis following graduation including father/son tournaments with his father Walt Herrick Sr. Along the way, Walt began teaching tennis as a USPTA Tennis Professional in Barrington and Cincinnati, where he earned his MBA from the University of Cincinnati, and finally at the Racket Club in Crystal Lake. For 30 years he taught tennis at the Racket Club, advancing to managing the Racket Club and overseeing the entire tennis program for the Crystal Lake Park District. He was very proud to have received the NISRA Community Service Award for his many years of dedication.
Walt was also a very active model railroad enthusiast. While belonging to several model railroading clubs he designed and built multiple railroad "layouts" also fabricating scenery, structures, buildings and detailed towns and rail yards. When not working on his own projects, he helped other members with their modeling and the running of their railroads. In addition, he wrote numerous articles and contributed photographs for various model railroad publications.
Services for Walt will be held at a later date.
Donations may be made in Walt’s memory to the Herrick-Thomas Foundation, PO Box 407, Crystal Lake, IL 60039.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Walter S. Herrick, Jr., please visit our floral store. https://www.davenportfamily.com/obituary/Walter-HerrickJr
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Jeff Read
You only meet a certain number of really great guys in your life and Walt was one of those. Seeing him at the 50th reunion was a surprise and a gift. He looked great and was great to talk to. When he was telling the story of him and Dave Kling getting overnight duty to protect our float, I felt like I was 17 again. Simpler times indeed. I was lucky enough to play a little basketball and tennis with Walt. Always the competitor, always a gentleman.
Gods speed Walt!
Scott Wright
I am truly saddened to hear of Walt's passing. We were fellow Maple Streeters and friends from kindergarten through high school. His competitive edge served him well in bball and tennis. A kind and generous soul who will be missed. My thoughts are with the Herrick family. All Love to you Snorky. May you find peace always. 🏀
Scott Walter
I am so sorry to hear about Walt. My cousin Laurie and Walt had many happy years together. The last time I saw Walt was at one of our Switzer family weddings.Had to have been at least 5 years ago. I missed the 50 year anniversary where I could have caught up with everyone. Living in California makes it a treck to get back out there. Happy Holidays to everyone back in Crystal Lake.
Marie Edmund (Eckert)
Sometimes I reflect on how, through no particular actions or merit of my own, I have been deeply blessed by the individuals who have shaped my idea of what is "good." I have an idea of what good teaching is to a large part because of the good teachers we had at CLCHS. I could fill the page with their names and bits and pieces of how they built me up. The same is true of the administrators. Even the building.... That being said, the boys, long ago grown to men, who were there at CLCHS when I was, gave me a measuring stick of what a "good guy" was/is and what I could expect from a "good guy." From the beginning, Walt Herrick was for me an example of "good." As, from a distance I observed him as a young man and later followed his career, I noticed that he improved and lifted situations up. I am grateful for the example he set as a boy and grateful for the contributions he made as a man. Truly a "good guy." He will be missed by those of us lucky enough to have been his friends and classmates. These thoughts of "good" also apply to you other "good guys" and to the lovely ladies of our class. I am so glad to have been there when you also were there. Walt, what a very good guy....Brenna McDonough (Wolfe)
Such sad news of Walt's passing. My heartfelt condolences to his family. Such an accomplished man. May he Rest in Peace.
Bob Maronde
Rest in peace.
Janet Dame (Harders)
I was so happy to have had a few minutes to talk with Walt at the 50th reunion. He was one of the first kids I met when I moved to CL the summer before 5th grade as he lived on the next street over from me. We used to sometimes walk home from school together. He mentioned that while we were talking and, while I had remembered it, I was surprised that he did. He was truly a really nice guy and I'm sure will be greatly missed. Condolenses to all his family and friends. RIP Walt.
Bob Desbles
I remember Walt from our PE days and watching him balling from the grandstands
when our beloved took the hardwood court.
Only interaction I can remember is running the 440 on the outdoor track our senior year.
I had the lead 3/4 of the way around the track figuring no one was going to catch me.
Well I was amost right. Just after the final turn I was caught and passed by a blurr...
I ran that 440 in a bit over 60 seconds and I wasn't even close...
Sorry to see less of our classmates every year.
Bob Desbles
Mary Ann Rutherford (Hidding)
l.a.herrick@comcast.com
Laurie Herrick sends invittions to all classmates:
Please join us as we celebrate the life of Walter Herrick Jr.
Let us remember that we are coming togethr to recognize him and his achievements and not to mourn a life lost.
To honor his life we will gather as one on Ocotber 9, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.
The Racket Club
9109 South Illinois rooute 31
Algonquin, Illinois 60102
Come ready to share memories, laugh at the good times and rember the full life he lived.
Light refreshments to follow/
Laurie Herrick
l.a.herrick@comcast.net
Mike VanRensselaer
Couldn't make it to Walt's memorial, so I laced up my cons, grabbed my basketball, stepped outside and cast up a few shots. Line drives. Barely enough arch to get above the rim. Finished with a drive down the right side to the baseline, where I put up what faintly resembled Walt's jumper that won that regional game back in '68. Good shot, Snork!