Frank C. Herrmann

Frank C. Herrmann, 75, of Rocklin, CA, passed away while surrounded by family on Tuesday, August 21, 2018, at Sutter Hospital in Roseville, CA. 

Born on September 18, 1942 in Lee County, IL, Frank was the son of Maurice and Bernice Herrmann. Upon graduating from the Milwaukee School of Engineering (Class of 1965) with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Frank was hired to develop industrial mining machinery for Westinghouse Air Brake in the company's Southwestern region. A position with Telsmith brought Frank back to Milwaukee, where he met and fell in love with Ellen Mary (Gibson). The two wed in Rochelle, IL, on October 17, 1970, and so began their nearly 48 year journey of enjoying life together, building memories and leaving a legacy of hard work and happiness.  

Throughout the 1970's and 80's, Frank established both his family and his career in road construction and paving with Barber-Greene. Frank's entrepreneurial spirit led to him founding Herrmann Equipment Inc. of Roseville, CA, on December 1, 1988 - a niche distributorship selling and servicing asphalt pavers and specialty equipment for the roadbuilding industry.  The success of the business in Northern California, which Frank ran in partnership with Ellen and their eldest child, Matthew, has been mirrored in the their Southern California location, led by business partners Mike and Jackie Allen. Never one to seek the spotlight, Frank was the guiding force of HEI. 

Although devoted to his work, Frank always made sure his family was taken care of and loved. Frank is survived by his wife, Ellen; sons, Matthew (Michele) of Rocklin, CA [Greyson, Nicholas, Miley, McKenzie, Madison, Macelyn, Mollie and Jordan] and Patrick (Alisha) of El Dorado Hills, CA; daughters, Mary Ellen (Peter) Bussi of San Rafael, CA [Carter, Paige, and Charlie] and Betty Jane (Matt) Lider of Shoreline, WA; and sisters, Armela Hicks of McAlester, OK, and Betty Baumann of Rockford, IL. 

Frank embraced life and treasured the simple moments by growing vegetables, watching Goldfinches in the back yard, driving his "toys" (sports and classic cars, boats and motorcycles), and celebrating the milestones of his children's and grandchildren's lives. Reflecting his love of children, Frank's favorite charity was St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. 

Dear Lord, take our Frank in and keep him close to Your heart, as we do, until we meet again in Your kingdom. 

A celebration of life gathering will be held on Monday, October 1, 2018 in Roseville, CA. For time and location details, please email Matthew Herrmann at matt@herrmannequipment.com or Mary Ellen Bussi at marybussi@yahoo.com.

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